Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Because I got Gainesville: Don’t write off Afroman

Jan. 9, 2014

Gather some Colt 45s and maybe a few Zig-Zags: Afroman is coming to the High Dive on Wednesday. Afroman, or Joseph Foreman, Grammy-nominated slacker rapper star behind the hits “Because I Got High” and dirty rap anthem “Crazy Rap” — known to many as “Colt 45 and Two Zig-Zags” — is leaving his beloved Palmdale to bring Gainesville the music that has enchanted generations since he rose to fame and fortune in the early 2000s.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Hairy situation: Don’t be bullied by trends

Jan. 9, 2014

During my first semester of college, while killing time between classes, I found myself listening in on a classmate and his friends as they loudly engaged in a “Would you rather?” about girls.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Legalized marijuana means higher tax

Jan. 8, 2014

New Year’s Eve was about lighting fireworks. New Year’s Day in Colorado was just about lighting up.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

F*** civil liberties, how do they work? Rap group sues FBI

Jan. 8, 2014

“Workaholics” fans remember the episode in which Adam, Ders and Blake become entangled with the Juggalos, or devotees of the rap and hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse. Members of the Juggalos are, stereotypically, drug-addled low-income followers of the band famous for their yearly gathering — or as the New York Daily News called it, “weeklong bacchanal” — called the Gathering of the Juggalos. The Gathering is notorious for Juggalos engaging in “blatant drug use and general bad behavior.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

America’s problem is lack of social mobility

Jan. 7, 2014

Another semester brought me another opportunity to contribute to the Alligator Opinions section. As I sat down and faced my laptop, preparing to write my first piece of the new year, I thought I should tackle the benefits of reading or my collegiate career so far. I wanted to stay away from politics at least for one week — we all want to start the semester on a good note.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Drop it like it’s hot — or not: Drop/add week woes

Jan. 7, 2014

Like taxes, gynecological exams and salad, drop/add week is a necessary evil — a time of the semester where classes are treated like sample stations at Costco, only instead of hairnet-wearing old ladies, professors and TAs are doling out the tastes of what the semester will bring.

OPINION | COLUMNS

New Year’s resolution for America 2014: Greater economic equality

Jan. 6, 2014

Another year has come and gone. America began 2013 facing a number of difficult political and societal challenges, including an unemployment rate of 7.9 percent, increasing rates of economic inequality and poverty, and the ever-looming specter of global climate change.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

No Rose for You: ABC, it’s time to revamp ‘The Bachelor’

Jan. 6, 2014

Last night, the new year saw a new crop of screaming, swooning female hopefuls on “The Bachelor,” which began its 18th season on ABC. The premise of “The Bachelor” and its sister show, “The Bachelorette,” represents something both modern and weirdly primal: Cameras, boom mics and Chris Harrison follow a group of 20-somethings as they compete fiercely for the affection of a mate — presumably so the winner and said mate may become engaged and begin a life together.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama needs to shut down his campaign

Jan. 5, 2014

If President Barack Obama is in need of a New Year’s resolution, I have the perfect one: Shut down your campaign.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Greetings, Spring: Apply to be an Alligator columnist

Jan. 5, 2014

Welcome back, Gators! Breaking news: It is about to be COLD in Gainesville. Like, seriously. Pull those hats and mittens out of retirement, and for those of you who rely on scooters as your main method of transportation — we are so sorry.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

‘I know myself, but that is all’: Final reflections on Fall 2013

Dec. 3, 2013

A lucky batch of seniors will graduate next week and depart into the real world of graduate schools, jobs and paid internships, international travel or mom and dad’s basement. They’ll have college degrees under their belts — essentially, really expensive pieces of paper to hang in their offices to remind them of the four (or three or five) years they spent at UF.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Consider getting involved in civil work

By Peter Levine | Dec. 2, 2013

As a rule, we get the government we deserve. Political institutions work well when citizens are engaged: following the news, electing good representatives and pitching in ourselves to address serious national problems like health care and national security. When people are detached, governments generally fail.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest column: Proposed Student Senate bill is an attack on Palestinian students

Dec. 2, 2013

Today, the Student Senate at UF will attempt to pass an anti-BDS bill titled “Resolution Condemning the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Twerk it: In defense of Miley

Dec. 2, 2013

The general public’s reaction to the New Miley has been like finding a tarantula in the bathtub while somehow also witnessing a horrific train wreck. Fear, disgust, concern and morbid curiosity have all been rolled up into a giant ball of emotion that has fueled media coverage of the star’s transformation, as well as Twitter jokes and YouTube “Wrecking Ball” parodies ad nauseum. Most people view the New Miley as a loathsome, offensive brute; yet they can’t look away.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Bye UF, remember: Journalism isn’t dead

Dec. 2, 2013

It’s 4:30 p.m., and I’m sitting alone in the newsroom.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Open columnist spots for Spring: Apply today

Dec. 2, 2013

Calling all future Dave Barrys, Maureen Dowds, Carl Hiaasens and Thomas Friedmans: The Alligator is accepting applications for Spring 2014 columnists, and we want YOU.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest column: Releasing pets into the wild harms local ecosystems

Dec. 1, 2013

Let’s say you brought your favorite pet to college. Three exams and two papers later, you’re realizing you don’t have the time or space to care for Steve the Snake. Well, doesn’t every animal want to be free? Letting him go into the wild is the best option, right?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest column: Rhino endangerment is a problem

Dec. 1, 2013

Rhinos are majestic but well-armored beasts with thick skin and enormous protruding horns on their noses. Many people just see rhinos as large ferocious animals that roam the African plains and are considered among the most deadly animals in Africa.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Parting thoughts: Here, try these on for perspective

Nov. 25, 2013

Last year, I finally gave in and scheduled the eye exam I’d put off since high school. My lens prescription needed updating, and I was tired of the bright red frames my 15-year-old self thought were cool. I was ready for some new glasses. Afterward, I engaged in the usual dance of pulling frames on and off my face a ridiculous number of times to choose a complementary pair.

OPINION | COLUMNS

History repeats itself: Senate goes nuclear

Nov. 25, 2013

In a week that was dominated by the antics of the crack-smoking mayor of Toronto and the remembrance of JFK, the United States Senate did something unprecedented.