Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

U.S. should withdraw from Afghanistan

By PAUL MURTY | Dec. 2, 2009

The decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan is irresponsible on the part of the administration I helped put in power. Granted, President Obama always said during the campaign that he wanted to focus on Afghanistan because it was the forgotten war during the Bush administration, but that doesn’t make this a correct decision.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Christians should preach love, not hate

By Nichole Newcome | Dec. 2, 2009

This is in response to Shaelyn McDaniel’s letter, “Author misinterprets the Bible’s message.”

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Drivers should consider feelings of fans when making bad decisions

By Lars Rodriguez | Dec. 2, 2009

A notice to the University Athletic Association:

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Author misinterprets Bible’s message

By Shaelyn McDaniel | Dec. 1, 2009

This is in response to Ioulia Boyd’s letter, “Christian, liberal values OK.”

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gators should set better example

By Nicole Martingano | Dec. 1, 2009

You drink, you drive, you lose... lose the Southeastern Conference?

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Blood screening keeps public safe

By James Medley | Dec. 1, 2009

This World AIDS Day, I reflect on the number of people in the U.S. and abroad who contract HIV daily. It’s a staggering number. I also remember those who are currently living with HIV, a disease characterized by stigma and social blame. While originally considered a disease of gay men, many today are living with HIV for reasons beyond their control — including receiving tainted blood transfusions.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dunlap should play in Saturday’s game

By Samuel Thomas | Dec. 1, 2009

While it is sorely disappointing to find out about Carlos Dunlap’s DUI, The Gator Nation should not be quick to judge, and he should certainly remain eligible for the game on Saturday.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Alligator should have reported on crash

By Vlad Korepanov | Dec. 1, 2009

I am curious as to why there was no mention in the Alligator of Bernie Machen’s hit-and-run incident and subsequent criminal charges. He received a notice to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge after hitting a parked car and not leaving insurance and contact information as required by law. Something like this is newsworthy, especially given the fact that he refused to admit fault until police got involved and escorted him back to the accident scene.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gainesville gives alumni warm welcome

By Ed | Dec. 1, 2009

Last Saturday’s festivities were a tremendous send-off for a unique senior class. My wife hadn’t been back to the university in 16 years, and the students and fellow alumni we met were all very friendly. We got to tour the dorms still there, the Heavener complex, and met Alberta at a volleyball game.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Church sets bad example

By Robert Hewitt | Dec. 1, 2009

Being accosted by crazies of all types, usually benign, is normal in a college town like Gainesville. However, when it’s virulent hatred that evokes remembrance of Nazis persecuting Jews and other minorities, silence is not always the best response.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lessons come from experience, not advice

Dec. 1, 2009

Over Thanksgiving, I got to spend a week with my 19-year-old sister, who’s a sophomore at a state school in the Midwest.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Blind Faith: U.S. should remain skeptical about troop increases

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 1, 2009

In his Tuesday night speech, President Barack Obama outlined his strategy for the war in Afghanistan.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

D-U-Idiot: UF's prominent figures should set example

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 1, 2009

Carlos Dunlap, Gators star defensive end, looks sad, resigned, and a little pathetic in a mug shot taken early Tuesday morning after police arrested him on one count of DUI.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Fool's flu: UF shouldn't require medical notes for exams

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 1, 2009

Your mother’s incessant nagging is no longer the best reason to get a flu vaccine. Now it’s grade concerns that will push students into the vaccine lines. (Let’s face it — health worries are never on the top of the list.)

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Premium Price: Taxpayers shouldn’t pay for lawmakers’ insurance

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 30, 2009

While Florida lawmakers and top state employees are criticizing Congress’ efforts to extend health care to more poor people, they have fought to protect an entitlement of their own: free insurance premiums.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Say what you would regret leaving unsaid

Nov. 30, 2009

I like this question, even if it’s a little morbid: If you knew you were going to die this evening, and you couldn’t talk to anyone between now and then, what would you most regret not telling someone?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Republican Party needs to realize all politics are local

By Nick Miner | Nov. 30, 2009

The Republican Party has recently drafted a Purity Resolution. If passed, any candidate seeking support from the Republican National Committee would be required to support at least eight of the 10 resolutions named by the committee.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Islam on Campus gives thanks

By Ismail ibn Ali | Nov. 29, 2009

In the name of God, the most beneficent, the most merciful.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

UF should name gate after Tebow

By Victoria Shelly | Nov. 29, 2009

It is my opinion that Gate 15 of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium should be renamed Gate Tebow. If you’re with me, Gator Nation, let’s let the university know.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Moms use kids to indoctrinate

By Cori Kate | Nov. 29, 2009

I give a nod of agreement to the Wednesday column, “Kids Should Not be Billboards.” I am a student and full-time employee who works at a business on University Avenue. While working, I watch mothers pushing strollers (complete with babies) along our sidewalks, donning these “Islam is of the devil” T-shirts. It disappoints me that people feel more comfortable hiding behind their months-old children to spread a discriminatory message. These mothers are persistent, walking with their babies in cold, rainy weather. They approach passers-by with pamphlets and smiles. But why use the infants? Should we be more inclined to trust their message because they are responsible for a tiny human?