Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Equalizing via E-books

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 4, 2011

Two bills working their way through our state legislature are aimed at bringing public schools into the digital age. They would either require 50 percent of materials spending to go toward digital books and e-readers, as in the Florida House’s version of the bill, or test the waters with certain schools investing in said technology.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Time Out: Students shouldn’t complain about price

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 4, 2011

As many of you have discovered, the price for student season tickets to Gators football games has increased for the 2011 season. The price has jumped from $70 to $105, an increase of 50 percent that has some students reeling. But before you complain about the change, keep a few things in mind.

OPINION | COLUMNS

American exceptionalism exceptional

By Zack Smith | Apr. 3, 2011

Over the past few weeks, the concept of “American exceptionalism” has dominated the airwaves.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Gag Order: Consequences of pastor’s actions warrant comment

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 3, 2011

Let us apologize for going back on our word.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Both sides should seek forgiveness for murders

By Joe Bialek Cleveland | Apr. 3, 2011

This letter is in response to the articles covering the deadly protest in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, which appear to be a result of the antics of the Dove World Outreach Center’s Terry Jones.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Players’ complaints only sour grapes

By Jane Houston UF faculty | Mar. 31, 2011

I read Matt Watts’ diatribe about our esteemed women’s basketball head coach Amanda Butler in Thursday’s paper.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Butler’s record speaks for itself

By Deb Dalziel | Mar. 31, 2011

What’s the point of these articles? They list some of coach Butler’s accomplishments, praise her intensity and passion for the game, and then suggest her possible “downfall” based on comments from two former disgruntled players who abandoned their team last year as post-season play began.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts and Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Mar. 31, 2011

Be on your toes today, Gators. You’ve got to stay sharp, lest you fall victim to another lame April Fool’s joke.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Democrats’ driving tax is ridiculous

By Bob Minchin | Mar. 31, 2011

Just when it seems like the Democrats have exhausted their playbook — just when it looks as if the left has attempted every trick in the liberal agenda — it turns out that they have.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Supersize Lawsuit

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Mar. 30, 2011

In case you haven’t heard, our favorite obnoxiously large supermarket chain is pleading its case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as it tries to avoid the largest job bias class action lawsuit ever. We don’t know yet if Walmart actually will go to trial over claims of sexism on the job, but we do know the court is split along gender and there are an incredible number of variables to keep in mind when considering a lawsuit with some 1.6 million people involved.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Scott for cronies, not average Floridian

By Chad Mohammed | Mar. 30, 2011

I seem to be in fair company with writing this article, as a recent poll showed that Gov. Rick Scott has an approval rating of just 32 percent. On an assortment of issues from education funding to reductions in state workers’ salaries, the governor simply is in the wrong.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Young Gun; Rubio returns to spotlight, demands reforms

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Mar. 30, 2011

Remember Marco Rubio?

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Damage Control: Virginia Tech looks to dodge shooting blame

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Mar. 29, 2011

Every one of us hopes that, in a crisis, our university’s security measures will come through and help mitigate the threat posed to students, faculty and staff. That hope was snuffed out for many Virginia Tech students following the infamous 2007 shooting, and the Department of Education is trying to send campus officials a message with a $55,000 fine in return.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Sexting Reform

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Mar. 29, 2011

As is the case with many of our constantly evolving technological developments, our legal system hasn’t quite caught up to the capabilities of current cellphones and the phenomena they spawn.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Market can’t keep up with law grads

By Wesley Campbell | Mar. 29, 2011

There’s no way around it, because no matter where you turn or how much you try to ignore it, the U.S. is seeing some tough economic times. Yet, despite the fact that job growth in many sectors is slow, law schools seem to be doing nothing less than ignoring this fact and hammering away at the idea that going to law school is a great idea.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

In response to a modest proposal

By Andrew Robb | Mar. 29, 2011

Kendra Vincent’s Monday letter is absolutely right: Women’s rights are under attack. Yet the danger is far greater than she acknowledges. What our state legislature threatens tomorrow unfair laws against infanticide limit now.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We Heart the OED

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Mar. 28, 2011

It may come as a surprise, but we aren’t language purists.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Florida House bills would attack women’s right to choose

By Kendra Vincent | Mar. 28, 2011

Women’s rights are under attack again.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Spelling worsened by technology crutch

By Laura Ellermeyer | Mar. 28, 2011

Predictive text technology is a wonderful thing. If you know only a few letters or the beginning of a word, most smartphones will automatically suggest multiple options for what you were looking for.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Living Memory: Ferraro’s impact on U.S. politics still felt

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Mar. 27, 2011

You don’t have to be a woman to appreciate the advances Geraldine Ferraro made in her 1984 shot at the vice presidency. After her death on Saturday, we’ve been realizing that she, along with others of her ilk, have been changing our nation far more than the requisite history-class mention would have us think.