Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Add cursing to list of bad habits to quit

By KATHRYN STOLARZ | July 26, 2010

I was passing through Midtown last Tuesday evening, and I stopped to watch the live music at The Swamp for a song or two. “Cause it’s the first of May, first of May,” he sang, and I was thinking what a nice voice he had when suddenly – “Outdoor f--king starts today. Celebrate spring with a crazy little thing called f--king outside” – my heart started pounding as nervous anger flooded my insides. He dropped the F-bomb in his beautiful melody. As he scanned the audience, his eyes met mine. I felt uncomfortable just witnessing this performance. Maybe I was overreacting, I thought. I decided I’d try to wait it out, hoping the next song would be swear-free and worth staying for. He had a good voice. “I’m going to make this part as vulgar as possible,” he said, and I cringed. I instantly began to change my mind about staying. He said something about “f--king everybody,” and I couldn’t stand listening anymore. I left — no applause from me tonight.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Study Session

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 26, 2010

Starting in the fall, the Hub will no longer be the official on-campus late-night study center, with those duties being taken over by the Reitz Union, which will remain open until 3 a.m. — along with Taco Bell, Starbucks and possibly Subway.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

War Torn: Leaked reports killed America’s trust

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 26, 2010

uld have us think that national security is no joke, but a quick look at the more than 90,000 leaked reports from the war in Afghanistan showed us that honesty and integrity is somewhat of a laughing matter.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF journalism students deserve teachers with experience in field

By Jon Roosenraad | July 26, 2010

Last Thursday's top story, "Faculty search raises questions" concerned the inability of the College of Journalism and Communications to even interview a professional journalist with 25 years of experience at The New York Times for a very hands-on and professional opening within the college for next year.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Athletes’ Advocate: Why college stars should be paid

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 21, 2010

He had a great career playing for the Gators and was able to transition to the pros as the 18th overall pick in the draft, but recently Maurkice Pouncey has been accused of accepting $100,000 from a sports agent’s representative while he was still on the Gators’ roster.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Arizona immigration law does not encourage racial profiling

By Wyatt Zinninger | July 21, 2010

It is clear that Chris Moody, despite his attempts to seem educated and informed, is exactly the opposite. Like most opponents of Arizona’s new immigration law, SB1070, he has clearly never even read the actual bill.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Legislature defeats Crist in smackdown over oil-drilling ban

By Brittany Fox | July 21, 2010

Like an episode of “Deadliest Warrior,” Florida saw its own battle between two epic foes Tuesday, this one during a special legislative session called to pass a measure that would put the question of banning oil drilling on the November ballot. In The Florida Legislature vs. Charlie Crist, I have to give this one to the Legislature, and a quick kill it was—about 55 minutes, to be exact.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Make up your own mind about politics

By Bryan Griffin | July 21, 2010

For the last two weeks, I have given advice for incoming UF students to use as they acclimate themselves to university life. This week, however, I write to lend a word of advice to all university students. Whatever grade, alma mater, or status as a student, listen up: Don’t drink from the punch bowl.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ticket policy is unfair for sick students

By Michael Leeman | July 19, 2010

If you are a student and need to go to the neurology, oncology, or any of the other important ‘ology clinics at Shands Medical Plaza: beware.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Florida should not follow Arizona’s law

By CHRIS MOODY | July 19, 2010

I am disappointed to have read this week that Florida is backing the Arizona immigration law that basically allows racial profiling.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Drinking Discrimination: Bars find a loophole

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 19, 2010

The city may have hammered the last nail in the coffin for ladies night months ago, but that’s not stopping local wells from walking on the razor’s edge to get around the now-illegal, yet oh-so-common, promotion.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Waiting to drink legally was worth it

By KATHRYN STOLARZ | July 19, 2010

If you asked me why I waited until my 21st birthday to drink, I could tell you a number of reasons. For one, my big sister waited until her 21st, so that’s what I thought you were supposed to do. She has always been my role model. Two, I’m stubborn, and I had told people a while ago that I was waiting until my 21st birthday to drink. I had made up my mind, but they doubted me or told me I’d go wild once I arrived at college. This fueled my fire even more to keep my word. And three, it doesn’t sit well with me to think of doing anything illegal. I’m just one of those people who is paranoid of getting in trouble for no good reason. I’d get nervous when an officer would walk by me in the halls when I was in middle school—palms sweaty, heart racing, the whole deal—and I never did anything wrong. I guess you could say I’m a stickler for rules, and I’m OK with that.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dairy products come with heavy price

By Lene Harris | July 14, 2010

Milk, and all other dairy products that we enjoy so much, does not come without sacrifice. The only way a dairy cow can produce milk is by giving birth to a calf.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Man hopes to save lives with DUI story

By Jesse Warren | July 14, 2010

Matthew Maher, a 26-year-old former professional soccer player and Temple University graduate, is now in prison for the next five and a half years for killing an innocent man while driving drunk on March 7, 2009.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Holy Hangout

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 14, 2010

Apparently some people like Sunday mornings so much that they are trying to bring the experience to Saturday night through Club Glory, a Christian nightclub.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Senior shares advice with freshmen

By ANDREW PANTAZI | July 14, 2010

Grab your Magic 8-Ball and give it a shake.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Travel Trouble: UF eases Haiti ban forfaculty, grad students

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 14, 2010

It has been more than five months since the adminstration banned UF-related travel to Haiti for students and faculty, but it looks like the university is starting to loosen up a bit. It’s about time.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

King James made right decision personally, professionally

By Yulander Wells | July 12, 2010

The professional athlete is no longer just an athlete. They have been labeled as role models, icons, champions and spokespeople, but there’s one thing they have never been labeled: businessmen or businesswomen.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Mascot Mishap

By The Alligator Editorial Board | July 12, 2010

When students were given the chance to decide on their school mascot, they chose the Gators. At least that was the case in Arkansas' Two Rivers School District after a school merger - and UF is not happy about it.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ways to excel in academics, social life

By Bryan Griffin | July 12, 2010

Last week, I began my list of seven important lessons for incoming UF freshmen. I mentioned the importance of living in the dorms, learning how to cook on a budget and studying with a purpose. If you missed last week's column, check out the Opinions page at alligator.org. This week, I continue with the fourth tip.