Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Many Christians share liberal values

By Ashley Stringfield | Nov. 23, 2009

This is in response to Monday’s article, “UF study shows religious left more active.” I am glad that someone has finally said something. I have been waiting to hear this for a long time. It is true that not all Christians are Republican. Many of the Christian students I know are conservative when it pertains to issues such as abortion and gay marriage but are as interested or more in historically liberal-leaning causes, such as better health care and education for this nation’s poor. One of the Ten Commandments is “Thou shall not kill.” I believe there are other ways to kill that are just as important as the abortion issue, ways that are completely ignored in the Republican arena.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

US must engage Cuba to spark change

By Kevin Weng | Nov. 23, 2009

This letter is in response to Dayme Sanchez’s recent opinion piece, “Cuban embargo should remain in place.”

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Regulation should be left to states

By Caitlin O'Conner | Nov. 23, 2009

This is in response to Monday’s editorial about the Environmental Protection Agency and nutrient limits for Florida’s rivers and lakes. In case you didn’t know, FDEP (the Florida Department of Environmental Protection) has passed down this year nutrient limits for nitrogen and phosphorus present in Florida waterways like the St. Johns River.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

People in spotlight face more scrutiny

By Michel Schoemaker UF physics freshman | Nov. 23, 2009

In response to Nicole Martingano’s letter yesterday, I can only say that I wholeheartedly agree that anyone can be a drunken driver. After all, the first thing you learn in driver’s ed is how the immediate effect of alcohol is not the slight dizziness so many students seem to enjoy, but the lack of judgment. (Drunken texting, anyone?)

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

UF should spend on education, not pride

By Brittany Fox | Nov. 23, 2009

With the current stimulus plan showing few signs of creating real economic stability, maybe the leaders of the free world should take a look back a few centuries.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dems should be cautious with reform

By Jenna Kilic | Nov. 23, 2009

Thank you, Editorial Board, for writing the “Party Poopers” editorial in Monday’s paper. You were dead on. Those stupid, cautionary senators, Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman, need to keep their mouths shut so we liberals can ram through health care legislation we think is appropriate. If any Democrat questions whether it’s financially sound, screw ‘em! They can join those loser Republicans, who for eight years got to be fiscally irresponsible. Well, now it’s our time, damn it. Who cares if we’re in a recession?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Holidays create ‘Garden State moments’

Nov. 23, 2009

For many first years, the Thanksgiving holiday is the first real opportunity in the semester to go back home. And thus, it’s often the first real opportunity to have what I call a “Garden State moment.”

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Party Poopers: On health care, Democrat defectors better left alone

Nov. 22, 2009

On Saturday night, the Senate voted to move health care legislation to the floor for debate in a close party-line vote of 60 to 39.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Poison the Well: Lobbyists do more harm than good by opposing regulations

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 22, 2009

Last week, a federal judge in Tallahassee approved a settlement in an environmental suit that requires the EPA to set nutrient limits for lakes, streams and creeks in Florida.

OPINION | COLUMNS

US keeps moral high ground with trials

By Nick Miner | Nov. 22, 2009

Last week, the Alligator published contradictory views on whether trying Khalid Sheikh Muhammad in New York is the right move. Unfortunately, both pieces missed some of the most pertinent questions. Before addressing these, it must be said that I feel trying Muhammad in New York is the right decision. Don’t get me wrong, he in no way deserves the protections we are providing him.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

RTS is concerned with rider safety

By RTS Executive Board | Nov. 22, 2009

The RTS family joins the Alligator in offering the sincerest condolences to the family of Erin Pelton. No words can express the loss of such a bright young person on the cusp of a promising future.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Undergrads have right to protest fee

By Frank Coxon IV | Nov. 22, 2009

I would like to give a response to Matthew Powers and all those others who have stated, “Undergraduates haven’t the right to complain about the fee.” To all of those, I return your “Shut up, undergrads,” with a “Shut up, graduates, and think about it.”

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SG, administration have bad timing with renovation and expansion plans

By Patrick McHenry | Nov. 22, 2009

The issue about the Reitz Union expansion raises fundamental and core problems surrounding the attitudes of this university, its administration, its Student Government and the complete lack of distinction between any and all of these categories.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Embargo gives Castro regime leverage over citizens

By Andrew Wilson | Nov. 22, 2009

I used to feel the exact same way as Dayme Sanchez does about the Cuban embargo, but last time I went to Cuba I changed my mind.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pride in UF doesn’t come from buildings

By Lauren Parater | Nov. 22, 2009

This is in response to Zach Faza’s letter to the editor about his support for the renovation of the Reitz Union. It is ignorant to argue that the pride Florida students have is derived from the quality and beauty of their campus. This is not a resort, but a university that students attend for a reputable education. What separates UF students from everyone else? Certainly not an addition onto an already over-glorified building. Suggesting that our “premier” university status is dependent on such materialism is insulting.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Anyone can be a drunken driver

By Nicole Martingano | Nov. 22, 2009

Friday night I received text messages from several friends and students at UF regarding a DUI featured on the front page of the Alligator. Kristen Gillis, an avid supporter of my personal campaign against drunken driving and a friend of mine, made a mistake, a big one. I was worried, personally hurt, and pretty heartbroken.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Actions speak louder in the ‘war on terror’

By Stephen Bradford | Nov. 19, 2009

In Patrick Poage’s response to Tuesday’s guest column, he took offense to the characterization of the United States’ actions against al-Qaida and other terror organizations as a “war on terror.”

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Nov. 19, 2009

Last week was unusually slow for the Department of Darts and Laurels. In light of this, we made a (desperate?) plea for Gators to go out and make some real news. While we doubt that the overwhelming response was due entirely to the public pity party we held for ourselves last week, we think it helped. So now, inundated with news, we would like to present you with a be-careful-what-you-wish-for edition of:

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Grad students shouldn’t have to foot bill

By Tim Johnson | Nov. 19, 2009

On Wednesday, the UF Graduate Student Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing additional student fees for the renovation of the Reitz Union. This measure was taken to contest the recent resolution passed by UF Student Government proposing such fee increases.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Undergrads shouldn’t complain about fee

By Matthew Powers | Nov. 19, 2009

Are undergrads seriously up in arms over a $20 flat fee plus $3 per credit hour for the new Reitz Union? I’m an out-of-state student receiving $0 in government aid. In case you’re unaware, out-of-state tuition is now approaching $800 per credit. My Reitz student fee of $65 would buy me a little more than one hour of class at UF.