Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

U.S. government needs to combat Islamophobia

Sep. 23, 2015

Last week, the hashtag #IStandWithAhmed started trending around the social media sphere. It began with the story of a 14-year-old dark-skinned boy of Sudanese origins who had a keen interest in inventing. He brought a clock he made — comprised of wires, a display and a pencil case — to his high school in Irving, Texas, to show one of his teachers.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial | Despite absurdity, ‘Pig-gate’ speaks to major concerns

Sep. 22, 2015

In 2004, future presidential candidate and most influential musical artist of the aughts Kanye West rapped, "The people highest up got the lowest self-esteem; The prettiest people do the ugliest things, for the road to riches and diamond rings."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Marco Rubio is a disgrace to the university

Sep. 22, 2015

Last week, Marco Rubio, Florida’s junior senator, took a cheap shot and gave the world a glimpse into his character.

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘Studying history is like traveling’

Sep. 22, 2015

Michael Schuering is the visiting associate professor of history at the UF Center for European Studies. His position is partly funded by DAAD, the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, or the German Academic Exchange Service. He is currently teaching "Weimar Germany Culture" and "Genes, Blood and the Body."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Social issues are real and should be more than Emmy punchlines

Sep. 22, 2015

This weekend I embarked on a sweaty, bug-bite-infested journey to Camp Crystal Lake, which is a little north of Gainesville, in an attempt to educate Honors freshmen about all the different facets of UF they can take advantage of.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor 09/23/2015

Sep. 22, 2015

The absence of a senator for the new residence hall, Infinity Hall, motivated me to attend the Student Senate meeting Sept. 15. I learned that my representatives in the Senate were the District A senators, none of which live in Infinity. During this meeting I voiced my concerns; however, they were not heard by the majority in the Senate.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial | Emmys? More like smellys

Sep. 21, 2015

Ah yes, publicly broadcast award shows: A beautiful opportunity for those in the entertainment industry to pat themselves on the back for a job well done while simultaneously failing to recognize actual meaningful contributions to their respective mediums. The airing of the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards this past Sunday meant it was television’s turn to take part in this time-honored tradition of circle jerking and manufactured accolades — although, shout-out to Viola Davis for the historic win of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "How to Get Away With Murder." As predicted by outlets such as the L.A. Times and Time Magazine, the Academy opted to award Emmys based on popularity, rather than merit.

OPINION | COLUMNS

While useful, studying abroad is not for everyone

Sep. 21, 2015

In the last week alone, I’ve been asked if I’ve ever studied abroad on four separate occasions. Sadly enough, the answer has been "no" every time. Both of my collegiate summers have been spent interning and feeling jealous while stalking social media either here in Gainesville or back home in Palm Beach. Yet, nearly all of my friends have spent a semester or two gallivanting across the globe, whether in Madrid, Beijing or London, and all have returned claiming to be much worldlier than when they left.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: 09/22/2015

Sep. 21, 2015

I am writing today in reference to an article that was run earlier this week about dropped charges on my record for possession of fake identification. While I am upset that after a long and successful career in the Student Senate this issue is only being brought up now during election season, I wanted to take the time to address many of the claims made in the article.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Republican foreign policy: Fact or fiction?

Sep. 21, 2015

Last Wednesday night, I, like many Americans, cozied up on the couch with a tub of popcorn to watch the second GOP debate, hosted by America’s most trusted news network, CNN. It was my night to have the TV, and I wasn’t about to let the two affable bros with whom I share a flat box me out with the second season of "Burn Notice." "This concerns the fate of our nation! Contrary to popular belief, Jeffrey Donovan does NOT take precedence tonight," I bellowed. "Now go put some goddamn shirts on and lower the Daughtry." And with that heroic stand, I was free to claim the living room and arrange my snacks while moderator Jake Tapper laid the ground rules for the debate.

OPINION | COLUMNS

9/11 first responders deserve more than a hashtag

Sep. 21, 2015

Oct. 3 marks a crucial date for more than 30,000 Americans: the expiration of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial | Mastering your domain and discipline in the 21st century

Sep. 20, 2015

In "The Contest," one of the most famous episodes of "Seinfeld," the foursome of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer wager a contest among one another to see who can refrain from masturbating the longest. The contest hinges on the respective honesty and discipline of each contestant; naturally Kramer is the first to go, having given into temptation after seeing his attractive neighbor (across the street) strut across her apartment naked.

OPINION | COLUMNS

GOP needs to brush up on its gender politics

Sep. 20, 2015

Toward the end of the recent Republican debate, candidates were asked which woman they would put on the $10 bill. While moderator Jake Tapper called it a lighthearted question, it actually gave a lot of insight into the problems with the Republican candidates.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Despite preconceptions, Sanders’ supporters are a thoughtful bunch

Sep. 20, 2015

Two weeks ago, the downtown bar, The Midnight, hosted a social gathering for the Gainesville Bernie Sanders’ faithful. Being the political adventurer I am, and embracing my status as the sole conservative columnist for the Alligator, I felt compelled to attend. On that Wednesday night, a handful of Bernie Sanders volunteers were ready and willing to entertain any question a politico could ask. I, of course, took them up on it.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts and Laurels 09/18/2015

Sep. 17, 2015

Another day, another dollar. Another week… another five dollars? Ignoring our poor excuse for an intro, it’s time for this week’s edition of…

OPINION | COLUMNS

Not all is as it seems with the new Impact Party

Sep. 17, 2015

It’s that time of the semester again.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Chill on the “Netflix and chill" and just have sex

Sep. 17, 2015

Somewhere between Silly Bandz and clothes for dogs, "Netflix and chill" lies on the list of stupid trends.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the editor 09/18/2015

Sep. 17, 2015

Senators Susan Webster and Christopher Boyett,

OPINION | COLUMNS

“Migrant problem" misleading; mostly a refugee crisis

Sep. 17, 2015

Tuesday Hungary closed its borders, which sealed off a route that has contributed to bringing over 500,000 people to the borders of European Union nations this year.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: Arrest of student part of a worrying trend

Sep. 16, 2015

Wednesday, global news outlets and social media feeds were inundated with the plight of Ahmed Mohamed, a 14-year-old boy from Irving, Texas. Mohamed, a Muslim, was arrested, handcuffed and removed from MacArthur High School by police officers after he brought in a clock he made to show his engineering teacher. Another teacher, who asked to see what Mohamed had in his backpack after hearing the clock beep in class, interpreted the wire-laden device to be a threat. The teacher reported Mohamed to school officials, after which the arrest occurred.