Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Unite Party benefits from discriminatory power system

By Travis Hornsby | Feb. 23, 2009

Even as a naïve freshman, I have already been exposed to far more Student Government politics than anyone would ever want to know. Ever since the "green means go" scandal in which several members of the Gator Party were implicated for fixing interviews so that only individuals with select organizational affiliations would be selected, I have been interested in discovering what really goes on in SG elections.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Progress makes progress

By THOMAS REYNOLDS | Feb. 23, 2009

I was dismayed to read the misrepresentation and misinformation in Kyle Robisch's Friday column. Representing the Fall 2007 Progress Party as pompous and not distinguishing it from the new Progress Party is intellectually dishonest. And certainly, Robisch must have noticed in the past year or so the partisan bickering between Orange & Blue and Gator, now Unite. The butting of heads was clearly displayed during Wednesday's presidential concluding remarks, Sunday's debate and many other times.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Out of the Wild

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 23, 2009

For at-risk youth in Alachua County, hope for a second chance starts at the Gainesville Wilderness Institute.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Study abroad program promises an Arctic blast

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 23, 2009

While a typical study abroad trip may include basking in the Australian sun, UF's latest overseas offering will take students even further down under.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Making Progress: Party appeals to best interest of students

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 22, 2009

It may not be "sexy," but one Student Government party doesn't care how their platform will look on a campaign poster.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Overheard cell phone conversations draw ire, boil blood

By ALLIE CONTI | Feb. 22, 2009

What is it that's so frustrating about listening to only one side of a conversation?

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Johnson’s memorial proposal offensive

By Javier Basnuevo | Feb. 22, 2009

During the closing arguments of the Student Government debate, Unite Party's Jordan Johnson proposed the creation of a memorial at the Reitz Union to showcase "minority achievements." He touted this project as a positive step forward in the advancement of diversity on campus.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Put aside apathy, vote in SG elections

Feb. 22, 2009

The final days of the pamphlet-pushing party loyalists haranguing me on Turlington Plaza to vote for their candidate in the impending Student Government election are upon us. They do a marvelous job, those pamphlet pushers, because once again I'm devoting another 500 words to their collective cause.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Students should seek to repair a ‘fundamentally broken’ SG

Feb. 19, 2009

Ah, the naiveté of being a UF freshman.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dictor didn’t write comments

By ERIK VOSS | Feb. 19, 2009

The following is in response to my column that appeared in Thursday's Alligator, which referenced some harsh comments written about me two years ago apparently by Ben Dictor, the Progress Party's candidate for SG president.

OPINION | COLUMNS

College means more than just diploma

By ADAM WYNN | Feb. 19, 2009

I've come to terms with my post-graduation joblessness. I haven't raised a white flag. Hope is not lost. I just understand my career won't be awaiting me, flowers in hand.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Votes should express ideals

By Benjamin Dictor | Feb. 19, 2009

Since Thursday's column about the validity of voting for revenge, I've gotten the chance to speak to Erik Voss. I was able to impress upon him my regret at having never heard about the comments posted on his Facebook. After a long day of trying to figure out what exactly happened, a friend of mine came forward and acknowledged that it was he who, after one-too-many drinks, left the aforementioned note on Voss's Facebook one evening while I was still logged in. He has since apologized to Voss and me.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 19, 2009

With midterms currently cramping our cool-as-a-cucumber style, the understatement of the year would be to say that tension runs high at the Department of Darts & Laurels. Sure, we know that Spring Break is almost here, but how do you expect us to study up on the unabridged history of satellites when we can't stop daydreaming about getting our tan on at the beach?

OPINION | COLUMNS

SG’s inefficiency mirrors Capitol Hill

By JONATHAN LOTT | Feb. 18, 2009

Ah, Student Government election season.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Personal vendettas reason enough to oppose candidates

By ERIK VOSS | Feb. 18, 2009

It's funny how you're never really "done" with people in college.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Cartoon’s racist overtones are unacceptable

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 18, 2009

A quick glance at Wednesday's edition of The New York Post revealed that racism remains alive and strong in America.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Column overlooks Chavez’s positives

By Joe Richard | Feb. 18, 2009

As a close observer of the massive social transformation currently taking place in Venezuela right now, I take issue with Eric Chianese's column Wednesday. Media pundits love to paint Hugo Chavez as a dictator, but look at the facts.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Transcript fees not fair

By Matthew Schwarz | Feb. 17, 2009

The ways in which our university manages its budget have never made sense to me, but as an undergraduate student striving to continue my education through graduate studies and independent research, I find one policy even more misguided than most - transcript fees.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Obama’s fiscal policies flawed

By BEN CAMENKER | Feb. 17, 2009

Jake Miller stated in his Tuesday column that "we should view political capital as something more elusive and less ephemeral than the spoils of victory." It is unfortunate that the Democrats do not agree with him.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

From Fat to Wii Fit

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 17, 2009

For one fat flamethrower, sheer disgust over his video-game likeness led to a life-altering weight loss.