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Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Opinion

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Give Us Google

Students get a bad rep around Gainesville sometimes for throwing a metaphorical four-year party, trashing the place because we don’t have to live with the resulting mess. You’ll hear this when any vote on taxes does or doesn’t pass, when discussing student driving habits or when we throw the parties that land us among the top 5 party schools.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Student shooting raises concerns

We, as a community, are saddened by the recent events in which a geography Ph.D. student, Kofi Adu-Brempong was shot by a University Police Department officer. It appears this situation did not warrant the use of deadly force and that UPD allowed the situation to escalate out of control. Our questions seem to be falling on deaf ears.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Iowa elementary schooler seeks help

My name is Jonah C. I’m a fifth-grade student in Harlan, Iowa. My class is studying the geography and history of the United States. I need your help to complete my state project. I picked the great state of Florida. It would be greatly appreciated if you could send me a post card, souvenir or any information on Florida wildlife. My teacher would also like a license plate. Thank you for your time.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Alligator Columnist plans to build dinosaur park

Abandoning the typical weeklong alcohol/Gatorade cycle set against a backdrop of sandy shorelines (or, less frequently, powder-laden slopes), I sipped not on ‘tron, but water, and did so in the confines of my own backyard. Had I adopted a new sense of responsibility for my health? Was it a case of middle school-reminiscent yardwork mandated by my parents, or was it perhaps HGTV-triggered gardening mania? Don’t be ridiculous — I’ve got two words for you: dinosaur cage.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Alligator readers quick to attack writers

You’ve got to love Monday morning. Most spend it with a bitter sense of injustice at having to wake up after a relaxing weekend. I partake in that activity with the added sense of injustice at having to go to Orgo 2. This particluar Monday, however, I was greeted with a new sense of wrong.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

US should fight discrimination

I know I will probably catch some criticism for writing about this, but I feel it needs to be said. Wednesday, Sen. Joe Lieberman introduced the first “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal bill. Although the bill lacked any Republican support, it was still a step in the right direction.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reitz Union needs repairs despite vote

Amidst all the turmoil of the recent UF student government election, one important fact seems to have been forgotten: The critical repairs that the Reitz Union needs aren’t going away simply because the referendum vote didn’t pass. The reality is $42.5 million dollars of problems still remain in our student union.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Undead McCain pushes vitamin bill

With most of the national political spotlight soaked up by a lurching, half-hearted détente concerning health care, Sen. John McCain sneaked a bill onto the Senate floor last month that could drastically reshape the entire supplement and vitamin industries. Washington insiders, speaking anonymously and way off the record, believe that this never would have happened if McCain were still alive.  


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Profile misrepresented subject

I am writing in response to staff writer Jared Misner’s article about Marvene Edwards. I was aghast at some of the offensive, condescending phrasing and terminology Mr. Misner employed while telling this woman’s unparalleled story of courage in the face of certain death and unspeakable physical abuse. I found his use of the flashback sequencing in his storytelling quite distracting and a hindrance during reading, and the lack of a proper timeline left the article formless. Mr. Misner’s description of the town of Princeton, Fla., was full of unnecessary data — what was the point of mentioning the racial and financial makeup of said suburb? His likening Ms. Edwards’ drug addiction and HIV infection to leprosy literally left me agape. Mr. Misner’s classification of Ms. Edwards as an inhabitant of another world further alienates her from society as a whole, something I am certain Ms. Edwards would not welcome. I do not believe that this writing style did Ms. Edwards’ story justice, and I hope that in the future your writers will perhaps show some more sensitivity to the subjects of their human interest articles.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Too Little, Too Late

As of Tuesday, nearly 800 people have died as a result of the earthquake in Chile. Individuals and corporations alike are coming to the aid of victims any way they can. But it’s frustrating to watch as some mask avarice with fake generosity.


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