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Thursday, April 02, 2026

Opinion

Florida Alligator
Opinion

Hairy situation: Don’t be bullied by trends

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.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

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

“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.”


Florida Alligator
Opinion

America’s problem is lack of social mobility

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.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

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

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.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

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

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.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Greetings, Spring: Apply to be an Alligator columnist

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.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

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


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Consider getting involved in civil work

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.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Twerk it: In defense of Miley

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.


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Guest column: Releasing pets into the wild harms local ecosystems

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?


Florida Alligator
Opinion

Guest column: Rhino endangerment is a problem

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.



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