Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Government regulation not conservative

By Chad Kimes | Apr. 17, 2011

In response to Bob Minchin’s column on Friday, I find it surprising that one who is appalled by intrusive government agencies and overbearing regulation believes government intrusion and regulation is necessary in the case of unwanted pregnancy. I guess I was wrong to assume a “true conservative” is actually conservative and not just a shill parroting the Republican party line.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Abortion the civil rights issue of the day

By Tasya Williamson | Apr. 17, 2011

I would like to say thank you to Bob Minchin for sharing his views in Friday’s column “Abortion stance key to conservatism.” His extremely well-written dialogue not only exposes the shallow and inhumane actions of the “pro-choice” movement but also calls conservatives to act with passion and conviction.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Revenue Review

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 17, 2011

With Tax Day here, we’ve come across news saying taxes collected on our nation’s top 400 incomes amount to 10 percentage points less than those collected in 1992. Sounds crazy compared to the average drop of 0.6 percentage points, doesn’t it? Well, keep in mind that 45 percent of American households pay no income taxes, according to the Tax Policy Center.

OPINION | COLUMNS

What a difference a year can bring

By Zack Smith | Apr. 17, 2011

What a difference a year can bring.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LGBT community only wants equality

By Katie Faris | Apr. 17, 2011

After reading the replies to Megan Bissell’s letter, published April 13, regarding Chick-fil-A’s support of anti-gay organizations, I must say that I too am an angry lesbian. The point both Andrew Robb and Ryan Galloway seemed to miss is that the university allows a corporation to profit off a Student Body that it oppresses. A business is entitled to its “moral” convictions just as much as anyone else. However, these ideals are not consistent with the inclusive and accepting values UF espouses. It is extremely unsettling to know that my school, which insists upon cultivating a diverse student culture, continues to involve itself with a corporation that blatantly perpetuates discrimination and hate against me. UF’s seemingly indifferent attitude in regard to this matter is just as good as its consent and agreement with Chick-fil-A’s actions. How can one feel safe and comfortable on a campus that funds political causes directly targeting its students?

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Women face undue burden in child care

By Umair Asghar | Apr. 17, 2011

What is with the Bob Minchin column published on Friday? It’s like he doesn’t even try to understand what these women are going through. I will admit I am against abortions, but I at least try to understand why someone would do such a thing. How is a woman supposed to take care of a child if she gets paid a lower salary than a man? How is she supposed to take care of a child if child care costs are ridiculous? There are no American laws that give nursing women a break.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reader rejects abortion

By Jamie Edgerly | Apr. 14, 2011

As a woman, I seem to be continually hearing that I need to make my voice heard in regard to abortion. So here it is.If it wasn’t for my mom deciding against abortion, I wouldn’t have written this. My mom was a junior in college when she got pregnant out of wedlock. Her family was very conservative, and she attended a Christian college. Mom could have aborted me and moved on with her life. Instead, she chose to keep me. She dropped out of college and got a full-time job. My great-grandparents looked after me while she worked. I asked Mom once why she didn’t choose abortion. She told me that she hadn’t had to think about it much; life is sacred even if it’s unexpected. Because of that, my voice will be raised in a resounding “no.” No to abortion, no to running from the consequences of sex, no to ending a life before it even draws a breath. Mom was scared of being a mother, but she accepted the responsibility of raising me.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Veganism easier than ever

By Ryan Huling | Apr. 14, 2011

In response to your April 13 article “Downtown Cupcake Shop Serves Vegan-Friendly Fare,” I would like to thank Brittany Brave for highlighting some of the many delicious reasons to choose vegan sweets in Gainesville. Vegans have a mere fraction of the rate of heart disease, strokes, obesity and cancer that meat-eaters have, and they don’t support one of the most ecologically destructive and cruelest industries on Earth: animal agriculture.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts and Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 14, 2011

It’s that time again.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Abortion stance key to conservatism

By Bob Minchin | Apr. 14, 2011

“I am fiscally conservative but socially liberal.”

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Taunting makes its way to Congress

By Paula I. Penariu | Apr. 14, 2011

Relegated primarily to elementary school playgrounds, taunting, name-calling, and insult-lobbing have made their way into the houses of Congress, according to a study released by Stanford and Harvard professors.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No one wants to be tolerated

By Andrew Robb | Apr. 13, 2011

The LGBT community doesn’t really care about tolerance. This couldn’t be any clearer after their reaction to Chick-fil-A.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chick-fil-A not anti-gay

By Ryan Galloway | Apr. 13, 2011

If Megan Bissell labels herself as an angry lesbian, I’d have to label myself as a broken-hearted Christian. Why? Because it sucks that our world breeds angry people, let alone angry lesbians, and it sucks that “Christians” often have been the least compassionate of all. For that, I’m sorry. Jesus’ message was uncompromising and offensive, yet the soft-hearted flocked to Him because of His supernatural love. I regret that many “Christians” don’t follow His example.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama charts middle ground on deficit

By Chad Mohammed | Apr. 13, 2011

On the heels of an 11th-hour deal late Friday night that averted a government shutdown, the real debate has only now begun. Debate over the debt ceiling will be heating up; if we stay on the current course, the U.S. will reach the maximum borrowing limit of $14.31 trillion by mid-May. Additionally, the fiscal budget for 2011-2012 will be taking place. The reality of the situation is that the only remedy would be major cuts, coupled with tax increases. However, many on the right say we only have a spending problem and not a revenue problem, and many on the left refuse to cut spending in favor of only raising taxes.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Lesson in Slavery

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 13, 2011

Teachers get put into some tough positions, and we’re not even talking about questions about unions or budget cuts.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Warping Time; China’s stance on TV time travel ridiculous

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 13, 2011

Picture our television shows and movies swept clean of any element that “disrespects history.” According the Chinese government, which apparently is trying to make historical scholars out of its populace, shows and movies shouldn’t include elements of time travel lest they change the look of history.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Abortion came as relief from pregnancy

By Whitney Mutch | Apr. 13, 2011

I’d like to thank the Alligator for the coverage of the abortion speakout sponsored by the Gainesville chapter of National Women’s Liberation.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Important Anniversaries

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 12, 2011

Tuesday was a landmark day as both the 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight and the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Stepping out of comfort zone rewarding

By Wesley Campbell | Apr. 12, 2011

Let me just say it: Wakeboarding is hard. In a series of events that were largely out of my control due to misinformation being fed to me by a friend, I ended up at Wakefest ’11. Wakefest is an event organized and run by the Gator Wakeboard Club, and it took place this past Sunday on Lake Wauburg.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Twittering Twits: Scott’s social media war pits him against press

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 11, 2011

In the same way our everyday conversations and arguments have fundamentally changed with the rise of social media, it is transforming the government’s relationship to the press.