opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

When it comes to writing essays, SAT should cut the crap

Oct. 14, 2013

David Coleman was named the new president of the College Board last summer and, thanks to him, the board is debuting a reconstructed SAT in 2015. The SAT has long been a poor excuse for a college-readiness exam. This is especially true of the essay section, which came under heavy fire at a September press conference filled with high school and university faculty from across the country. They told Coleman in no uncertain terms how detrimental the essay portion has become for students. For the first time, the College Board is listening.

Opinion

Wait for more action — it’s too early to determine new Pope’s impact

Oct. 14, 2013

Many would consider America to be one of the most religious countries on Earth.

Opinion

One CEO's advice on climbing the corporate ladder

Oct. 14, 2013

DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider talked to The Atlantic yesterday in a video segment titled “Advice to a Younger Me” about her climb from an entry-level position in the entertainment industry to chairwoman of Universal Pictures to her current position as CEO.

Opinion

Greetings from City of Gainesville Student Community Relations Advisory Board

By Christina Ford | Oct. 13, 2013

Greetings from City of Gainesville Student Community Relations Advisory Board

Opinion

Guest column: Palestinians are people with a voice

Oct. 13, 2013

This past Thursday, I attended an event hosted by CAMERA and UF Hillel titled “Less Hamas, More Hummus.”

Opinion

How the Internet and television news undermine journalism

Oct. 13, 2013

What I am about to say might not win me any friends at the Alligator, but I must be frank: The current state of American journalism is doing its part to destroy American democracy.

Opinion

People selling, hustling Banksy works aren't the bad guys

Oct. 13, 2013

He’s reached worldwide fame while preserving his anonymity, putting the spotlight on the underground street-art scene.

Opinion

The (Me)rlot Generation: Millenials’ extreme wine consumption changing industry

Oct. 13, 2013

In May, TIME magazine published a trend piece about millennials titled “The Me Me Me Generation,” but it failed to mention one interesting characteristic of our often-scolded generation: We’re turning the wine industry over on its head.

Texas running back Johnathan Gray celebrates after scoring on a 45-yard touchdown run in the first half of his team's 31-30 win against Iowa State on Oct. 3, 2013 in Ames, Iowa.

Sports

Picks Column: LSU

Oct. 10, 2013

Rapper Kanye West and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel reconciled on Wednesday’s edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and we here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column could not be more relieved. In fact, as the crew watched the pivotal, emotional exchange between West and Kimmel, there were some tears shed. But not a single one of us would Runaway. We considered this exchange a Good Life lesson. Even the most Heartless among us felt their love grow Stronger as we witnessed this spectacle of forgiveness and understanding.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

The Rally: Who will win the UF-LSU game?

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 10, 2013

Each week, two alligatorSports columnists will debate the biggest looming matchup in college football. Today, Phillip Heilman and Adam Lichtenstein preview No. 17 Florida’s showdown against No. 10 LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

Opinion

It’s true: Engineers don’t really socialize

By Ahmed Jorge | Oct. 10, 2013

I agree that engineers don’t really socialize.

Opinion

Some nominees for Nobel Peace Prize laudable, some laughable

Oct. 10, 2013

Today, the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded.

Opinion

Darts & Laurels 10/11/13

Oct. 10, 2013

Readers, this is not a drill: Fall is finally upon us in Gainesville. The mornings are crisper, the nights are pleasantly cool, and we’re finally switching from iced coffee to hot pumpkin lattes. Everything is beautiful and nothing hurts.

Opinion

Why you should be paying attention to Supreme Court campaign finance case McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission

Oct. 9, 2013

Obviously, there aren’t many people happy with what’s happening in Washington right now. And because we live in a democracy, citizens can actually hold the members of Congress responsible for the shutdown — but we probably won’t.

Opinion

Stop obsessing over "thigh gaps" — it's not healthy

Oct. 9, 2013

Some people have blue eyes, and some people have green eyes. Some people have innie belly buttons, and some people have outie belly buttons. Some people have narrow hips and legs that touch, and some people have wider hips with thighs that don’t touch. All these particular body parts are affected by the arbitrary genetic hand you’re dealt at birth, yet young girls have chosen to obsess over whether they have a “thigh gap.”

Opinion

Supreme Court case McCutcheon v. FEC could get rid of campaign finance restrictions, increase corruption

Oct. 8, 2013

Public opinion polls consistently show Americans are frustrated with the disproportionate influence large corporations and extremely wealthy individuals have on our government and political process.

Opinion

Silk Road shut down, but arrests are a bigger victory for the government than just drugs

Oct. 8, 2013

On Oct. 1, I began a search for the online market known as the Amazon of drugs: the Silk Road. I had heard stories about this place before from friends — and friends of friends — whose experience with drugs and technology far exceeded my own.

Opinion

Stop hating — America’s doing just fine

Oct. 8, 2013

Haters will always hate. These days, bashing politicians and journalists has become en vogue. Critics forget that our representatives uphold the world’s greatest democracy by toiling night and day to represent a helpless minority: corporate executives. Having a media subservient to the powerful is also vital to our prosperity.

Dominique Easley lies on the ground following a play during Florida’s 41-11 loss against LSU on Oct. 8, 2011 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The Gators defeated the Tigers at home in 2012.

Sports

Loss to LSU spurred resurgence

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 8, 2013

Florida’s most recent trip to Tiger Stadium could have taken place in the Colosseum — yeah, the Roman one.

Opinion

To Elle UK: Feminism doesn’t need a rebrand

Oct. 8, 2013

A spread in Elle UK’s November issue aimed at “rebranding feminism” has sparked outrage among bloggers and online media outlets such as the Huffington Post, the Guardian and Buzzfeed.