opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

FSU, officials: justice system mockery

Oct. 14, 2014

Last week, The New York Times released a damning report on an institutional failure by Florida State University and law enforcement officials in Tallahassee. The report looks at various offenses allegedly committed by FSU football players, and the actions — and more often than not, the inactions — taken by the university and law enforcement. The allegations include from sexual assault, theft, abuse and an ongoing BB gun fight between football players who terrified innocent bystanders.

Opinion

Memorial should inspire veteran commitment

Oct. 13, 2014

This week in Washington, D.C., a new memorial honoring disabled veterans opened to the public. According to the Sun Sentinel, the memorial was funded by Florida heiress Lois Pope, who raised “$80 million, including some of her National Enquirer fortune.” The donations included $3 million from former presidential candidate Ross Perot and $270,000 from the Florida Disabled American Veterans.

Opinion

Grad assistants left out of UF president search

Oct. 13, 2014

As representatives for UF’s 4,000 graduate assistants, we received last Monday’s presidential search update with great concern.

Opinion

Recent vandalism at Emory AEPi matters

Oct. 13, 2014

This summer, while working for a startup in Tel Aviv, I took a weekend to travel to Jerusalem and visit the Holocaust memorial. There, I walked by black and white photos of charred synagogues, Jewish-owned storefronts with shattered windows and signs calling for boycotts of Jewish businesses.

Opinion

The DEA has gone too far; it’s time to end the ‘War on Drugs’

Oct. 13, 2014

The Drug Enforcement Administration has frequently displayed reckless disregard for the lives of any person associated with drugs. The agency’s thoughtless behavior recently reached a new low.

Opinion

Connections matter: Keep home roots

Oct. 13, 2014

When freshmen embark on the first semester of their college careers, one of three things undoubtedly occurs: They forget their families at home exist, they become incredibly homesick and call them every night or they cheerfully manage to keep up relationships with their families while also balancing and enjoying school like an ultimate pro. Kudos to those who can swing that. We’ve all been through that tough first break from the comfort of home, whether it’s hardest breaking away from your family, your friends or just your pet. College is always an adjustment period.

Opinion

We should all be proud Americans

Oct. 12, 2014

Last week, Twitter caught on fire after “That’s So Raven” star Raven-Symoné did an interview with Oprah Winfrey and said she did not want to be labeled an African-American, but rather, just an American.

Opinion

Florida public records fees must be kept in check

Oct. 12, 2014

In the technological age of the 21st century, access to public records and information should be a fairly straightforward and efficient process. Unfortunately, in Florida, the methods of obtaining public information are anything but.

Opinion

Medical marijuana amendment concerns about consequences, meaning unfounded

Oct. 12, 2014

On Oct. 8, Lindsay Alexander wrote a column opposing the approval of Amendment 2, which would legalize medical marijuana in Florida. Alexander’s concerns about Amendment 2 are misguided.

Opinion

‘Dropped complaint’ vs. ‘false accusation’

Oct. 12, 2014

By now, we’ve all heard about the sexual assault complaint that was filed against UF football player Treon Harris last week and later dropped by the accuser.

Opinion

War in Afghanistan: 13 years is too long

Oct. 9, 2014

On Tuesday, members of UF Students for a Democratic Society held a rally with anti-war groups from Gainesville — Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, UF Students for Justice in Palestine and UF College Libertarians — to protest our continued occupation of Afghanistan.

Opinion

Scalia, SCOTUS and Warren Buffet in Darts & Laurels

Oct. 9, 2014

It’s been a newsworthy week. We went from heralding backup Gators quarterback Treon Harris’ commandeering of a clutch win against Tennessee to vetting details of his sexual assault investigation. Wearily, we’re happy to bring you a We-hope-the-investigation-is-carried-out-fairly-and-hopefully-this-is-the-last-time-a-Gator-is-accused-of-sexual-assault edition of...

Opinion

Diversity means more than an all-black cast

Oct. 9, 2014

As the fall television season continues, viewers can finally see which shows stand out as the winners and losers of the season. After the premiere ratings of primetime network television came in, one thing became crystal clear: diversity works on TV. Among the winners are three shows on ABC: “Scandal,” “How To Get Away with Murder” and “Black-ish.” These three shows premiered strong with a viewership of 11.9 million, 14 million and 10.8 million, respectively.

Opinion

Your cheat sheet for STI testing

Oct. 9, 2014

The least wonderful time of the year is upon us — midterm season.

Opinion

‘Twin Peaks’ return bound to disappoint

Oct. 8, 2014

Last Friday, director David Lynch sent out a rather interesting tweet: “Dear Twitter Friends: That gum you like is going to come back in style!”

Opinion

New ‘positive’ Scott ad hypocritical and misleading

Oct. 8, 2014

The Florida governor’s race has seen some strange ads this election season. In particular, the recent ad from the College Republican National Committee that compared incumbent Gov. Rick Scott and challenger Charlie Crist to wedding dresses set a new standard for bizarre political advertising. Scott’s “Flippin’ Amazing!” attack ad against Crist also made waves for its strange — albeit amusing — brand of humor.

Opinion

Other proposed state amendments deserve attention

Oct. 7, 2014

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Opinion

Scott, Crist: not leadership Fla. needs

Oct. 7, 2014

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Opinion

Fla. Amendment 2 medical marijuana regulations, restrictions just don’t cut it

Oct. 7, 2014

Election Day is quickly approaching. On Nov. 4, Florida voters will decide whether to enact Amendment 2: The Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative.

Opinion

Everyone, stop freaking out about Ebola

Oct. 6, 2014

After the first case of the Ebola virus in the U.S. was diagnosed last week, many Americans were struck with a fresh wave of panic and fear.