Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gadhafi column misguided

By Geoff Puryear | Nov. 13, 2011

I would like to thank the Alligator as well as the authors of "Obama is No Better Than Che Guevara" for providing one of the best "fake news" articles this side of the Onion. Their send-up of the intellectual inconsistency and naïveté of the extreme left was nothing short of sidesplitting. I mean, how could anyone read an article defending mass-murdering tyrant Muammar Gadhafi as a leftist hero and not indulge in a hearty chuckle?

OPINION | COLUMNS

People should combat public displays of affection

By C.R. Skambis | Nov. 13, 2011

This past Tuesday, I witnessed a couple on a Route 36 bus "first-basing it" while a guy sitting across from them stared intently, jostling his naughty bits.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Tax to promote tree industry is absurd

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 9, 2011

Let's face it. People who buy artificial Christmas trees are just plain un-American.

OPINION | COLUMNS

People don't take sexual harassment seriously

By Alex Guilmartin | Nov. 9, 2011

Two weeks ago, I wrote a column about Herman Cain. My point was simple: Cain is not really a viable contender. We all know it, and humoring another GOP sideshow is just allowing for more eccentric antics that distract from what should be a serious discussion about the person who will likely become the next president of the U.S.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bus Drivers' Union offers condolences to injured biker

By Mary Frances Folz Donahue. President of ATU 1579 | Nov. 9, 2011

On behalf of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1579, I would like to express our condolences to Mr. Abdellatief and his family for the trauma and injuries he has suffered and express our wishes for his full recovery.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Feds should not be tracking us with GPS

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 8, 2011

In the 1980s, law enforcement officers in Minnesota used a beeper radio transmitter to track a man suspected of purchasing chloroform to make illegal drugs. The police tracked the suspect to his cabin in Wisconsin, where he was arrested.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Everyone needs a strong support system

By Nicholas Butler | Nov. 8, 2011

Sometimes, life can suck.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dining halls urged to honor Meatless Mondays

By Jared Misner | Nov. 8, 2011

I imagine Gator Dining officials are all very excited about UF's place in the final round in this year's ranking of the most vegan-friendly colleges in the nation. If only those University of California Santa Cruz hippies would go away and let us win. Even if we lose, second place is pretty darn good, so congratulations.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Florida Blue Key president apologizes for Gator Growl seating

By Craig Thompson | Nov. 8, 2011

On behalf of Florida Blue Key, allow me to share my heartfelt appreciation to our extended Gator family for continuing to turn out and support Gator Growl. We hope you enjoyed Friday's show that so many students worked tirelessly during the last year to produce. Gator Growl is an incredible and unique UF tradition.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Let them pray; Voluntary service outside school OK

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 7, 2011

In our Oct. 24 issue, we sided with an atheist Rhode Island student who claimed that her school was violating the First Amendment's establishment clause. In the school, a mural depicting a prayer hung on the wall and was titled "School Prayer." It was also Christian in nature, clearly violating the establishment clause of the Constitution.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Greeting cards part of American culture

By Sami Main | Nov. 7, 2011

My mom has worked in Hallmark stores for as long as I can remember. By this point, I've learned almost as much about the company as she has.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Keep it classy; don't have sex in public

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 6, 2011

Recently, two UF students were found guilty in a courthouse, but not by a jury.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Don't lose sight of yourself as you transition to adulthood

By Sara Solano | Nov. 6, 2011

The sirens blared, the horns honked and the whistles ... whistled.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts and laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 3, 2011

In case you live under a rock, it's Homecoming weekend here in Gainesville. Due to this important, historical event that happens once a year, classes, for the most part, have been canceled.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Arab women's rights movement needs support

By Akansha Mishra | Nov. 3, 2011

A longing for political liberty has fueled many of the recent uprisings in Arab and North African countries. First the efforts of protesters in Tunisia to oust President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali caused a massive chain reaction. Neighboring countries gazed at the willful power of their peers across the border and quickly developed their own anti-government demonstrations. Not long after, government opposition from other countries, including non-Arab countries, began to show their faces through similar protests. In particular, a resonating voice screamed across the world: If Tunisia can do it, so can we. Social media echoed this spirit via audio and video clips and live on our computers, televisions and cellphones.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Politicians altering Occupy dialogue

By Andrew Smith | Nov. 3, 2011

I was enraged by the article titled "Occupy Gainesville, Occupy UF pair up for demonstration."

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Abortion affects more than one body

By Rachel Crow | Nov. 3, 2011

In Rosemary Daniels' guest column, she stated her opinion that a woman's right to have an abortion is unalienable.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Educational inequity a major issue

By Vicky Riquelme | Nov. 3, 2011

Travis Hornsby's column Monday highlights perhaps the most pressing issue facing America today - the gross disparities in academic achievement between students of low and high socioeconomic backgrounds at all levels of education.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Peanut gallery; GOP lacking star candidates

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 2, 2011

Mitt Romney is every Republican's favorite number-two pick for president. If no one else works, the GOP will settle for Romney's lackluster, establishment candidacy.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Focus should be on culture of education

By Alex Guilmartin | Nov. 2, 2011

There's been a lot of talk about education lately, both in the Alligator and on campus.