Opinion | Editorials
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Thanksgiving ‘14: Be grateful, don’t shop, give back
Nov. 24, 2014For most people, Thanksgiving is all about the three F’s: food, family and football. The image of a family gathered around the table with a large turkey in the middle is one of America’s most iconic scenes.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Florida campaign finance needs fixing
Nov. 23, 2014On most political issues — the economy, health care and climate change — Americans are more polarized than ever before. However, there is at least one subject on which the vast majority of Americans agree: the enormous and inappropriate role that money plays in American elections.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Reflecting on a tragedy
By Alligator Editorial | Nov. 20, 2014As you have probably noticed by now, we normally go casual on Fridays with a quirky, tongue-in-cheek “Darts and Laurels” summing up the best and worst of the week. But on Thursday night, the Alligator staff was in no mood to chide silliness and applaud reason. Anything we could have written in this space feels trivial compared to what dominated Florida State University students’ thoughts, prayers and social media newsfeeds in the past 24 hours.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Florida senators wrong to oppose NSA reform bill
Nov. 19, 2014On Tuesday evening, the U.S. Senate held a vote on a bill that would have curtailed the extensive and likely unconstitutional data collection programs of the National Security Agency.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Bondi’s new RAGA position deepens corrupt ties
Nov. 18, 2014Last week, the Alligator published an editorial about Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s close ties to the Republican Attorneys General Association — RAGA. The organization is heavily supported by donations from interest groups supporting large corporations and from corporations themselves. RAGA has handsomely repaid the investments made by these corporate groups, fighting against environmental protections, financial regulations and labor rights, all of which threaten corporate profits.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Homelessness among children critical issue
Nov. 17, 2014One of the most shameful problems the U.S. confronts today is its massive — and growing — number of homeless people, particularly children. A report released Monday by the National Center on Family Homelessness puts the issue of homelessness in America in stark terms.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Time to take Thanksgiving literally
Nov. 17, 2014Once again, we are approaching the glorious American holiday known as Thanksgiving. Millions of Americans will travel to visit friends and family, gorge themselves on delicious food and watch football. Millions of other Americans will shovel their Thanksgiving meals into their mouths as quickly as possible in order to join the frenzy of shoppers at their local malls.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Political ad spending out of control, even in FL
Nov. 16, 2014The partisan makeup of American politics, particularly at the national level, has seen quite a bit of change recently. Congress has transitioned from Democratic dominance to Republican control in just six years.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Police must treat mental illness more sensibly
Nov. 12, 2014On Oct. 28, Gretna, Florida, resident Juanita Donald called 911. She was requesting help in transferring her mentally ill son, Kadrick Donald, to the Apalchee Center after Kadrick refused to take his medication.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Compassion, not indifference, helps poor
Nov. 11, 2014Last week, 90-year-old Arnold Abbott made headlines worldwide after he was arrested for feeding the homeless in a public park in Fort Lauderdale. The arrest occurred just days after a new city ordinance took effect, making it more difficult for private citizens and charitable organizations to feed the homeless in public.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
NYT report reveals extent of Bondi’s corruption
Nov. 11, 2014Last week, Florida voters re-elected Attorney General Pam Bondi in a landslide. Bondi received 55 percent of the vote, while her Democratic challenger, George Sheldon, received 42 percent.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Republican victory despite want for less corporate influence
Nov. 9, 2014When Alachua County voters went to the polls Tuesday the focus of the media and most voters remained primarily on the hotly contested governor’s race and the proposed “Moving Alachua County Forward” transportation tax initiative.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Trivialization of campus sexual assault must end
Nov. 5, 2014In September, the Obama administration launched the “It’s On Us” campaign, which aimed at addressing the issue of rape and sexual assault on college campuses.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Election 2014: Florida, national trends a letdown
Nov. 4, 2014On Tuesday, Americans went to the polls and voted to give Republicans control of the U.S. Senate. Although many of the races were very close, it was clear toward the end that Republicans had earned a decisive victory at the national level.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Election 2014: Don’t be a cynic; go vote
Nov. 3, 2014After months of campaigning, millions of dollars spent on political advertising and countless debates, scandals and controversies, Election Day 2014 is finally here.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
New transportation initiative deserves voter support
Nov. 2, 2014Alachua County is currently facing a massive shortfall in funding for road repairs and other transportation spending. According to The Gainesville Sun, the county faces a $550 million backlog of road repairs, transit improvements and other transportation projects.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Endorsing Amendments 1 and 2
Oct. 29, 2014In addition to all the races for elected office on the Florida ballot this November, voters will also decide whether to approve three amendments to the state Constitution. Each of these amendments requires the approval of 60 percent of voters to be added.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Endorsing Crist for governor, reluctantly
Oct. 28, 2014Next Tuesday, Florida voters will go to the polls and decide whether to re-elect Republican Gov. Rick Scott or replace him with Democratic challenger and former Gov. Charlie Crist.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Dark money clouds Attorney General Bondi’s priorities
Oct. 27, 2014During her campaign for re-election, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has trumpeted her tough-on-crime credentials. In particular, she has emphasized her success in curbing Florida’s rampant “pill mill” and human trafficking industries.
