OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Not Lovin’ it: McDonald’s should alter way it confines chickens
By The Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 19, 2010Seventy-two square inches.
Opinion
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reader congratulates Westboro baptist Church counter-protesters
By Lucas Toro | Apr. 19, 2010Bravo 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.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reader misunderstands health care bill
By BRANDON SACK | Apr. 19, 2010Alligator 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.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Tearful apology: Pope’s apology is too little, too late
By Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 18, 2010Whoever said boys don’t cry obviously didn’t talk to old Benny.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Cartoon ignores efforts to help Haiti
By SEKOU BATCHELOR | Apr. 18, 2010This 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.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Student disapproves health care reform
By ANN SANCHEZ | Apr. 18, 2010I 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?
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reader embarrassed over Westboro church’s distorted teachings
By BRIANNE PELKY | Apr. 18, 2010As a Christian, I cannot support the protests of the Westboro Baptist Church, and I hope other Christians alike will not follow this church’s views or be discouraged of their own faith.
OPINION
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COLUMNS
Graduate student questions university’s academic integrity
By JON BOUGHER | Apr. 18, 2010My thesis partner, Roman Safiullin, and I recently reached a compromise with UF to include video footage shot for our thesis film in post-earthquake Haiti after the recent UF travel ban had been imposed.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Roethlis-blunder
By Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 18, 2010In today’s world of sports, one frisky hand seems to wash the other.
OPINION
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COLUMNS
Columnist offers final observations
By Ryan Spencer | Apr. 18, 2010Ah, 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.
OPINION
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COLUMNS
US should stay vigilant, fight Marxists
By PAUL MURTY | Apr. 15, 2010Guess what, folks? The scientists are at it again. No, they’re not doing sciencey things. They’re busy promoting Al Gore’s global warming Ponzi scheme.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Enough Tiger coverage
By CAROLINE HITIMANA | Apr. 15, 2010I am tired of hearing about Tiger Woods in the media. Last week’s coverage of The Masters talked more about Woods than every other golfer combined.
OPINION
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EDITORIALS
Darts and Laurels
By Alligator Editorial Board | Apr. 15, 2010Well, this is it — the semester has come, and it’s almost gone.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reader presents Darts & Lauels
By Ryan Galloway | Apr. 15, 2010I’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!
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Senior’s reflection on college dating
By Ashley Stringfield | Apr. 15, 2010This letter is in response to the article “Grads look back on sex, relationships and dating scene.”
OPINION
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COLUMNS
Church opposed Westboro visit
By ASA WALKER | Apr. 15, 2010This 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.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Evaluations help professors improve skills
By BHAVIK PATEL | Apr. 15, 2010Contrary to the beliefs many students at UF and the Alligator Editorial Board have, I believe that professors and teaching assistants do care about our feedback.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Columnist right about universities
By John Story | Apr. 14, 2010I really enjoyed Nick Miner’s guest column, “Students should question authority.” Everything he said was correct. The universities, including UF, have degenerated into institutions that only care about students regurgitating information.
OPINION
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Westboro appearance will showcase Gainesville’s diversity
By Andrew Piper | Apr. 14, 2010As my first year at UF is coming to a close, I have seen how diverse a large university can be. I think it is very impressive how so many people come together to what may seem like minor events, but are for a very good cause.
