opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

Big Deal?

By The Alligator Editorial Board | June 8, 2011

About 40 years ago, a herd of reporters gathered in a Democratic politician's office for a casual, off-the-record Q&A session. However, the only "Q" the reporters were concerned with that day was the war in Vietnam and why the United States was still involved. They kept pressing the politician for a definitive answer, something they had tried to do repeatedly in the past to little avail. The members of the press would finally get their answer when the politician whipped out his whoopee stick, pointed to it and proclaimed "This is why we're in the Vietnam!"

Opinion

Lost in the sauce: traveling along the greener pastures

By BILL O'CONNOR< | June 6, 2011

"Sith, get one of your boys to cross the Mekong. Bring back a couple of shopping bags full of pot."

Opinion

A ticking time bomb in getting bombed

By Shea Ford | June 6, 2011

"I am become Death, destroyer of worlds."

Opinion

Star in the Night; When many asked "why?" RFK asked "why not?"

By The Alligator Editorial Board | June 6, 2011

Monday marked the 43rd anniversary of the death of Robert Francis Kennedy, the 64th attorney general of the United States and one-time presidential candidate who was gunned down in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel only hours after locking up the pivotal California Democratic primary.

Sports

UF could ride rollercoaster weekend to championship

By MATT WATTS | June 1, 2011

As Brian Johnson lay motionless just off the clay of the pitcher’s mound Saturday at the Southeastern Conference Tournament, one thought reverberated through my mind.

Opinion

When students become sausage: How education has turned into an assembly line

June 1, 2011

Recently I was watching an interview of Dave Chappelle, who has faded from the public consciousness after fleeing the burdens of being an American cultural icon.

Opinion

The "M" Word; GOP to Romney: "My Jesus can beat up your Jesus"

By The Alligator Editorial Board | June 1, 2011

Sometime today, Willard Mitt Romney will unveil what has been one of the worst-kept secrets in American politics as he formally announces his bid for the Republican nomination for president of the United States.

Sports

Introducing a brand new spin on a sports-writing staple

By JESSE SIMONTON | May 30, 2011

Mike Lupica shoots from the lip. Pat Dooley strokes the back nine, and Bill Simmons writes 10,000-word mailbags.

Opinion

Leave it to prophets to ruin a good party

By Shea Ford | May 30, 2011

Impending doom arrived May 21, 2011.

Opinion

He did it again!; But then again, it's Rick Scott (he tends to do this)

By The Alligator Editorial Board | May 30, 2011

This isn't even fun anymore.

Opinion

Gov. Scott is killing education one penstroke at a time

By Andy Ford | May 30, 2011

When Gov. Rick Scott announced his budget proposal in February, the word "education" was notably absent from the political event. And when he did roll out his education budget proposal, it called for slashing already underfunded public schools by more than 10 percent.

Opinion

Lost in the sauce: A hitchhiker's (hazy) guide to alcoholism

By BILL O'CONNOR< | May 30, 2011

I gulp a frosty mug of Pabst, wink at Gerry and ask, "Hey Hank, when are you going to start serving blacks in here?"

Opinion

Wanted: A viable minority party that actually inspires students

By The Alligator Editorial Board | May 25, 2011

Another day, another Student-Government-wants-to-quash-the-opposition-claim.

Sports

UF's small ball anything but

By MATT WATTS< | May 25, 2011

Softball teams around the country should be taking notes. Coach Tim Walton has built a superpower in Gainesville.

Opinion

Sleazing and dealing: another day in the life of Rick Scott

May 24, 2011

Since assuming office in January, Gov. Rick Scott has taken every step possible to pander to corporate interests at the expense of Florida's working class.

Opinion

Fading Star; Obama's Israel message gives critics ammunition

By The Alligator Editorial Board | May 23, 2011

Of all the words and phrases that have been tossed around by pundits and politicos in describing the Obama presidency, which have included everything from Kennedy-esque to closet Quran worship, the one that never really stuck was "political miscalculation." While the Obama administration has been consistently hammered, fairly or not, for its stances relating to domestic and foreign policy, it was thought difficult, if not impossible, to find a chink in the armor of its political foresight. Its ability to navigate the tides of perception and political consequence within its own base come as no surprise given the president's education in a Cook County political system that forces those involved to think three steps ahead with one eye forward and the other peering over their shoulders.

Opinion

Lost in the sauce: A colorful trip to the Palmetto State

By BILL O'CONNOR< | May 23, 2011

"Wait ‘til you try this. You won't believe it."

Opinion

Screw moral feats, min-max for the win

By Shea Ford | May 23, 2011

Do you ever wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and declare to the world how remarkably awesome you are?

Sports

Back-end boys key, with caveat

By JESSE SIMONTON | May 18, 2011

The Philadelphia Phillies sport R2C2. The Miami Heat roll with Three 6 Mafia. The No. 6 Gators baseball team has Lou Pearlman and his throng of boy bands.

Opinion

Bankrupt; Once again, Scott takes aim at education system

By The Alligator Editorial Board | May 18, 2011

In the wake of one of the most dysfunctional and ego-driven legislative sessions in state history, our state's Criminal-in-Chief and Voldemort stunt-double Rick Scott announced earlier this week that the efforts from his Hollywood-haired, Reagan-idolizing minions to hack away at Florida's budget didn't quite go as far as he would have liked.