Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

As 2014 closes, remember Lennon’s lyrics of ‘Imagine’

Dec. 9, 2014

Monday marked the 34th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder. Each year, it’s a somber day on the calendar and a reminder that even the biggest among us can be ripped away. I found myself listening to a Lennon-protest song — “Happy Xmas” — and I considered the year that was 2014. By all measures, 2014 was a lousy experience for the world, and if you were to conduct a poll, 2014 might top a list of worst years in recent memory.

OPINION | COLUMNS

One editor’s last walk down the Avenue: Take a breath, take a break, move on

Dec. 9, 2014

One thing my parents always taught me was to stop, take a step back and look over my work.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Religion’s influence should be remembered

Dec. 8, 2014

It’s quite an interesting spectacle: My dad’s large 6-foot-4 frame rummaging around our garage, mumbling about measurements and fumbling for mischievous screws rolling across the dryer, which has become a makeshift work table.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Scott’s Ebola fanfare masks real health care issues

Dec. 8, 2014

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OPINION | COLUMNS

Don’t let finals get you down: Winter Break is coming soon

Dec. 8, 2014

Starbucks has a line of customers out the door, Study Edge is clogged with students and everyone is talking about their grades — it must be finals week.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s time to say goodbye, leave home

Dec. 8, 2014

In the four years I've worked at this paper, I've never used the word "I" in a published sentence. So when I decided to write my goodbye column, it was hard to get started.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The power of international solidarity

Dec. 7, 2014

It’s been more than two months since students went missing in the Guerrero state town of Iguala, Mexico. The young men had confrontations with the police while protesting unfair employment practices for teachers who discriminated against rural applicants and favored urban ones. The police killed three students and three bystanders in their altercation with the protesters. The allegation is that the police then captured 43 of the young men and handed them over to Los Guerreros Unidos, a drug gang, for execution.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Getting the facts straight is important

Dec. 7, 2014

During the last few weeks, America has been in an uproar over the cases of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and now Eric Garner. Many columnists, myself included, commented on these developments as they happened, sometimes with too much haste and without considering their impact. I think it’s important to take a moment to point out when the truth was bent and sometimes completely ignored.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Harkin’s student loan plan

Dec. 7, 2014

Democrats are generally known for favoring education spending by the federal government, whereas Republicans tend to oppose such expenditures. Many prominent Republicans, including Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and former Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas), have expressed support for eliminating the U.S. Department of Education altogether.

OPINION | COLUMNS

10 percent of youth should be 90 percent of environmental movement’s focus

Dec. 7, 2014

Climate Change. Global Warming. Sustainability. Environmentalism. These divisive partisan issues form the foundation of a constant debate between conservative and liberal forces. Congressmen and congresswomen on both sides of the aisle carefully select language that resonates with key demographics. While the millennial generation hasn’t been a huge factor in politics in the past, many of these voters make up a large portion of the up-and-coming "rising electorate," the given name to a voting demographic that is comprised of millennials (voters age 18-30), unmarried women and certain minorities (Latin Americans and blacks). The U.S. census shows this group will encompass nearly half of the voting population in the coming elections. As political capital and influence shifts toward the rising electorate, there are important questions about its implications for key environmental issues.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the editor: Krishna Lunch program, UF Foundation working on pedestrian-friendly plaza

Dec. 7, 2014

In his Friday’s letter to the editor, Kyle Gorman expressed concerns about the location of Krishna Lunch on the Plaza of the Americas. Our current location offers sitting places and convenience for students, as well as accessibility for setting up and serving the lunch.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why blacks in US are angry, frustrated

Dec. 4, 2014

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OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Doing the right thing, Devonte Hart for the end of the semester Darts and Laurels

Dec. 4, 2014

We’re in the home stretch, you guys. Despite the fact Florida has made a typical 180 in terms of the non-December type weather, there are only a few more days left of classes. Now here’s the game plan: Budget yourselves more Starbucks money than usual and crush those finals!

OPINION | COLUMNS

Millennials: unfairly scrutinized, stereotyped, by media

Dec. 4, 2014

No one ever says, “Wow. That’s just those Generation X kids,” or, “She is such a baby boomer!” In contrast, each member of today’s younger generation is categorized as being just another millennial in a spoiled and dumb youth population.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Boundaries, communication key to BDSM

Dec. 4, 2014

A few weeks ago, I got an email asking for advice on how to practice safe BDSM sex.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: Move Hare Krishna lunch to a pedestrian-friendly area

Dec. 4, 2014

It’s a tale as old as time in The Gator Nation. The fierce dichotomy between bicyclists and pedestrians has been going strong as long as I can remember. There has been a constant struggle over who truly controls the pavement and where each party should dominate.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ferguson unrest underscores progress

Dec. 3, 2014

Holidays are treasured in part because they are times, sanctioned by God or the government, for us to reunite with distant and not-so-distant relatives. Unfortunately, this aspect can also make them nerve-racking and awful. You don’t get to pick and choose who your family members are, and the same applies to your family members’ political leanings.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Yoho ‘disapproval’ bill impedes real immigration strides

Dec. 3, 2014

Republicans around the country were livid when President Barack Obama announced a plan to greatly reduce the likelihood of deportation for about 4.4 million undocumented immigrants late last month.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Merry Christmas versus happy holidays

Dec. 2, 2014

Although the onslaught of Christmas merchandise that begins appearing in October might have you thinking December started weeks ago, it’s only been here for three days. It is officially the holiday season.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Florida court case reveals out of control gun policy

Dec. 2, 2014

In 2011, Jared Bretherick was riding in a car with his family near Orlando when another vehicle, driven by Derek Dunning, nearly sideswiped their vehicle.