Opinion | Editorials - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Privacy on the internet and you

Oct. 3, 2016

Fads come and go. In 2016, some of the best moments can be had sitting on the Plaza of the Americas, watching people as they stroll all the way from Anderson Hall to Turlington Plaza, selfie stick in hand, to document this fascinating migration. Fitbits must always be on, because how else would people keep track of how many calories they burned playing “Pokemon Go”? Why not let everyone know what you just did by sending them a Snapchat with that puppy-dog face?

OPINION | EDITORIALS

You’re the chosen one? Trump’s dark-sided candidacy

Oct. 2, 2016

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons the “Star Wars” franchise is so well-celebrated is its character depth. In the latest installment, “The Force Awakens,” the two protagonists meet Han Solo and ask themselves whether he is a “war hero” or a “smuggler.” It’s a chuckle-inducing conversation. We remember the quasi-duality of Han Solo in the original trilogy. He was a renegade, a drinker, a gamblin’ man and a cheat. Solo, while certainly a pretty face, had all the charisma and romantic prowess of a drunken fraternity brother. His irresponsibility, lack of foresight and self-important cavalier attitude expressed arrogance and a blatant disregard for other people’s lives. Said plainly: Han Solo was kind of a d-----. More “smuggler” than “war hero,” without a doubt.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels: September 30, 2016

Sep. 29, 2016

“I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed,” your father says, sitting down at the edge of the bed. “I was young once too, y’know.” He chuckles to himself. “I remember when I read my first Darts & Laurels. I was just 17, a freshman at UF. All my friends were reading the Alligator. I figured, if I read it too, maybe I’ll fit in. Maybe I’ll be cool.” He sighs and looks back at you. “You’ll always be my child, and I love you for that alone. But please, make good choices. Keep a good head on those shoulders. I know it’s harmless, but some good people get caught up in some bad things when they read…

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks with community members at the Polish National Alliance, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, in Chicago.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

See Trump for who he is: a con man

Sep. 28, 2016

Pop quiz: Who said the following quote? “Leaders, true leaders, take responsibility for the success of the team and understand that they must also take responsibility for the failure.” Was it (a) Elon Musk, (b) Steve Jobs, (c) Mark Cuban or (d) Donald Trump? Given how topical the last choice was, those of you unfamiliar with the quote probably guessed correctly.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Stem cell research: It’s worth it

Sep. 27, 2016

There is a massive philosophical question surrounding the use of stem cells in medical research. Part of this question exists because the communication of scientific information in this country is crap. The myths oftentimes are inseparable from the facts. This is why, embarrassingly enough for us, only 70 percent of Americans believe in climate change, while an overwhelming 97 percent of scientists accept it as valid.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Another semester, another endorsement

Sep. 26, 2016

It’s that time of year again — Student Government elections. The last few years, dear reader, have been as tumultuous as ever. The drama surrounding various party name changes, accusations of nepotism, mudslinging and the seemingly valid conspiracy theories seems to never end, and even as we put the finishing touches on this endorsement editorial, the Not My System movement is preparing a livestream for a Q&A.

Miami Marlins player Christian Yelich, right, and teammate Justin Bour react in front of a memorial on the pitcher's mound at Marlins Park for Marlins pitcher Jose Fernanedez, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Miami. Fernandez, the ace right-hander for the Miami Marlins who escaped Cuba to become one of baseball's brightest stars, was killed in a boating accident early Sunday morning. The game between the Marlins and the Atlanta Braves was cancelled.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Mourning the loss of a Marlins player on and off the diamond

Sep. 25, 2016

In a cramped room outside the Marlins Park locker room, a grinning José Fernández sat in front of cameras and reporters.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

The internet of North Korea

Sep. 21, 2016

The internet is a wonderful thing. On Monday, it blessed us with a strange yet immensely fascinating look into a previously mysterious corner of itself: North Korea’s internet. By some accounts, it’s hard to believe North Korea even has internet. But this past weekend, the doors were accidentally opened to North Korea’s websites — all 28 of them. For the citizens of the closed-off, dictator-led poverty-stricken nation, that basically is their internet.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

The impact of consumerism on charity

Sep. 20, 2016

Recently our opinions editor was walking by Tijuana Flats on University Avenue and saw pink ribbons scrawled in paint across the windows. These ribbons, obviously symbolizing the global fight against breast cancer, really resonated with him. His mother is a breast cancer survivor. Also, his love of burritos is unparalleled.

Tim Tebow stretches out before batting practice at the New York Mets' complex, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback got to the complex early Monday, and started his first workout as part of their instructional league team.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Let's talk about Tim Tebow.

Sep. 19, 2016

Dear readers, we need to have a serious talk about Tim Tebow.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Column: The confusion of finding a cultural identity

Sep. 15, 2016

It’s really weird to be confused about your cultural identity. I will always say I am Puerto Rican before I am Mexican and before I am American. My family is huge and loud and very Hispanic. We’re great fun at parties. At the same time, however, I’ve often felt like I’m “too white” to be Hispanic and “too Hispanic” to be American, and it’s frustrating to explain to my friends and family when I feel like I can’t fully fit in with them.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Stand up against environmental degradation

Sep. 14, 2016

With Gainesville residents protesting oil pipelines Tuesday, we here at the Alligator thought we’d offer some insight into what’s going on in our beautiful state.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

No days off for Santa Clara Police Department

Sep. 13, 2016

Where does responsibility come from? At what point can someone abandon his or her sworn obligations? While the discussion surrounding San Francisco 49ers football player Colin Kaepernick’s decision to lead a national protest is growing stale and tiresome, the reaction by the Santa Clara Police Department is so irresponsible, so reckless and so downright childish that a continuation of this discussion is sadly necessary.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Coping with the changes on University Avenue

Sep. 12, 2016

University Avenue, what happened?

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Clinton’s nail in the coughin’: candidate health transparency

Sep. 11, 2016

Last week in Darts and Laurels, we here at the Alligator gave a dart to the human respiratory system for causing Hillary Clinton to cough. This is problematic because it set off a series of nothing more than bulls--- arguments that — ignoring actual problems in this country — focused on personally attacking Clinton for her health. Typically, those who simply have nothing to bring to the table perpetuate these types of arguments. Ad-hominem attacks are nothing more than a distraction from a total ignorance of political know-how.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

A message to the University of Kentucky

Sep. 7, 2016

Right now, a university is suing its student newspaper.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We need to take better care of the sick

Sep. 6, 2016

As I’m sure you can tell from yesterday’s editorial, the talented David Hoffman is taking a break from writing. With that sad news behind us, I feel like I should reintroduce myself. My name is Zachary Lee. I’m very excited to announce that I will be joining the Alligator in a more involved capacity for the remainder of the semester. I’m humbled and honored (typical tacky word choice, but sincere, I assure you) to have you all as my audience.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Stay hungry: Never settle for face-value

Sep. 5, 2016

Hello, dear readers. So, this is David, coming out of the closet to speak to you directly.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels: September 2, 2016

Sep. 1, 2016

Not even two weeks into classes, and we get hit with Hermine, the first hurricane to hit Florida in 11 years. Maybe this is a sign we shouldn’t have come back to school to begin with? Or maybe Mother Nature is just sick of all the “Florida Man” stories and finally decided to pull the plug on our state altogether. Well, Florida, it was fun while it lasted. So as you curl up by the fireplace app on your smartphone and avoid the apocalypse going on outside today, please enjoy our roast of the week, our lighthearted musings, our stormy-day edition of…

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Hermine, Louisiana, rising sea levels: a ticking time bomb

Aug. 31, 2016

Did any of you Gators go surfing over the summer? Well, bust those boards back out and buy an extra pair of swimming trunks, because we’re about to get some serious rain over the next couple of days. Tropical Storm Hermine is set to hit the Big Bend area (aka armpit) of our not-so-Sunshine State today at about 1 p.m.