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Thursday, July 31, 2025

Opinion

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reader congratulates Westboro baptist Church counter-protesters

Bravo to the counter-protesters of the Westboro Baptist Church protesters. A confrontation such as this could have turned violent, but Gainesville residents showed these people how the city really feels about ignorance and intolerance. We laugh at it. By dancing, singing and making fun of the situation, residents let the Westboro Baptist Church members know that their claims are so idiotic that they do not deserve to be taken seriously. It is unfortunate that so much hate and discontent is spread in the name of God, but the beauty of our country is that they have the right to do so in the same way others have the right to choose their partner regardless of gender. It boggles my mind how these people claim God hates homosexuals. Isn’t the god whom the followers of Westboro Baptist Church speak of the creator of everything, all-knowing and ever-present? If so, their God created gay people willingly and knowingly. Fortunately, the members of our community are smart enough to recognize a circus act when they see one, and everybody enjoys a day at the circus.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reader misunderstands health care bill

Alligator reader Ann Sanchez is an idiot. First, the health care bill does not provide blanket health care for illegal immigrants, as they are treated much as before. Yes, some people will pay more in taxes, but we will pay less in health care costs as a whole due to more preventative care. Malpractice reform would save about $54 billion over 10 years, which is significant but not huge considering we spend more than $2 trillion on health care each year. There is nothing in the bill stating that all specialties have to be paid the same. This is not even true in the U.K., where they have real socialized medicine. Unlike Sanchez claims, it is not common knowledge that doctors leave medical school with half a million dollars in debt because they leave with an average of $156,000, which is still a big number, but there are few professions where you are guaranteed to make six figures for the rest of your life. And finally, medical residents do not make $30,000 per year; they usually make upwards of $45,000 per year — 50 percent more than $30,000, according to my rough math. They’re not living the high life, but it’s not bad considering the significant pay raise at the end of their 3- to 7-year residency. It’s OK to have opinions and to print those opinions, but it’s just a waste of ink if the people expressing those views refuse to read books or use the Internet, and instead they base their elementary opinions on e-mails forwarded by grandma.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cartoon ignores efforts to help Haiti

This letter is in response to the Cynthia Despres cartoon in the Thursday’s paper displaying the well-known UF trademark “The Gator Nation is Everywhere” printed on a wall with a student from UF’s Documentary Institute painting “Except Haiti” underneath. I believe this illustration strongly undermines the numerous efforts from students and faculty to aid the people of Haiti.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Student disapproves health care reform

I AM A DEMOCRAT! I believe in abortion and know global warming is an actuality. However, I do not support Obama’s health care reform. The bill, composed of 1,017 pages, surpasses the public’s general intelligence. Does the public know that health care will be provided to everyone including illegal citizens? Or that we, U.S. citizens and residents, will be burdened with more taxes to fund national health care?


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Columnist offers final observations

Ah, my last column of the semester — and my last semester at that. I suppose this is where I get all sentimental in my undergraduate reflection, perhaps mustering enough good will to radiate advice out to some of the younger Gators among us. How quaint that would be, but any knowledge I’d be kicking wouldn’t exactly be worthy of an AAA rating. Plus, I’m not that generous. I guess the matter comes down to just how cliché I’m willing to allow myself to be. Answer: very.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reader presents Darts & Lauels

I’d like to present a way-to-step-up-to-the-plate LAUREL to the organizers and participants of last weekend’s Dance Marathon. More than half a million dollars is a lot and shows what happens when people use money for what actually matters. Good job!


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Church opposed Westboro visit

This weekend Gainesville will be visited by protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. This group is known for their protests of military funerals, contempt for homosexuals and other groups.



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