Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Oil industry, keep your mitts off the Everglades

Mar. 16, 2014

Older Florida natives have witnessed the overdevelopment of Florida in the past half century or so, and they’re not happy about it. Novelist, Miami Herald columnist and Alligator alumnus Carl Hiaasen has covered the issue extensively; he told NPR last year, “Try to imagine ... the transformation you would watch if you lived here. It’s traumatic.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Brave NSA agent goes beyond line of duty, wiretaps his mother

Mar. 16, 2014

National Security Agency phone tapper Joshua Mansfeld was surprised yesterday to wire a phone call from someone he thought he’d never see in his queue: his own mother.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Election results not an accurate forecast

Mar. 16, 2014

Political junkies across the state and throughout the country had their eyes fixated on Pinellas County last week, wondering whether the result of a special election to fill Congressman Bill Young’s vacated seat was a sign of things to come. Young was a Republican who served the district for decades until he passed away late last year. The district is firmly Republican, but Democrats felt they had an opportunity to win the seat, especially with former gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Hey, Bill O’Reilly, you can sit down now

Mar. 13, 2014

When Russell Simmons appeared on Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor” Monday night to promote his new book about meditation, he probably had no idea his interview with Bill O’Reilly would focus on Beyoncé.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels 3/14/2014

Mar. 13, 2014

Despite a freak cold snap last night, this weekend is shaping up to look like Spring Break: Part Deux — or at least, that’s what we’re telling ourselves.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama’s ‘Ferns’ visit clever, controversial

Mar. 13, 2014

Last week, the president went to a fake talk show for what may be the most bizarre head-of-state interview ever.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Alligator’s SG elections endorsement editorial was contradictory

Mar. 13, 2014

The Student Government elections three weeks ago were the most lopsided election I’ve ever witnessed as an undergraduate student. A single party won all 50 seats while minority opposition had an internal breakdown. But the election’s absurdity was exceeded by that of the Alligator’s endorsement letter of Feb. 18.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

GOP takes Florida District 13: Democrats unnerved

Mar. 12, 2014

The nation is once again turning its eyes to Florida — and, no, it has nothing to do with bath salts or Stand Your Ground.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Corrupt city gains national attention

Mar. 12, 2014

Nestled between Gainesville and Jacksonville is what some news outlets have nicknamed the most corrupt city in the nation: Hampton, population 477.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Gross and pointless: The abortion banners need to go

Mar. 11, 2014

It’s that time of year again: Winter is easing into spring, the weather is gradually warming up — and the infamous posters of aborted fetuses are once again on display in high-traffic areas of campus.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A message from Harlan Intermediate School

By Chandler L. | Mar. 11, 2014

Dear readers,

OPINION | COLUMNS

The politics of hatred and divisiveness

Mar. 11, 2014

The American political system has traditionally exemplified the fundamental principles of democracy. It is a system that Americans take pride in, and among other things, enables them to promote their country as the leader of the free world. However, America’s political system is not perfect, as it does not prevent those we elect from abusing and undermining it. Such abuse is currently playing out with the current Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Column about helping drunk friends

By Brandi Phillips | Mar. 11, 2014

Eleni,

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send Florida souvenirs to Iowa

By Mrs. Newlin | Mar. 11, 2014

Because of wonderful editors and readers like you, 124 intermediate fifth-graders are able to learn many things about your state.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama visit to Coral Reef highlights importance of public education

Mar. 11, 2014

Before I was a Gator, I was a ‘Cuda.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama’s plan for Venezuela, Ukraine?

Mar. 11, 2014

Civil unrest is in full bloom for some South American and Eastern European countries. Thousands of protesters in Ukraine and Venezuela — many of whom are college-aged students — took to the streets to protest their governments’ wrongdoings.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Open letter to UF men: Sexism isn’t OK

Mar. 10, 2014

Ed. note: This column uses strong language. Offensive words have been left uncensored to preserve the columnist’s intent.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lulu guy-rating app provides amusement, guilt, perspective

Mar. 10, 2014

I first heard about Lulu a little more than a year ago at a work party.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s none of your business: questions that we’re sick of

Mar. 10, 2014

I was eavesdropping in the hair salon the other day because, really, what else am I going to do when I can’t move my head, leave my chair or watch videos on my phone without feeling self-conscious?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Where in the world is the mysteriously missing Malaysian jetliner?

Mar. 10, 2014

The mystery and tragedy that surrounds the disappearance of a Malaysian jetliner early Saturday is a story that makes you want to look away, but somehow you just can’t help but stare.