Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Returned wallet proves honesty

By Nate Juster | Feb. 17, 2009

Yesterday, I left my wallet on a bus accidentally. An as of yet anonymous UF student found it and turned it over to the driver. I caught the bus next time around and got it back from the driver with nothing missing. I would like to commend both the student and the driver for their honesty.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Venezuela’s Chavez blusters to top

By ERIC CHIANESE | Feb. 17, 2009

On Sunday, the "iron man" of Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez, won an electoral coup and passed a referendum removing term limits. He will now run the country until he is defeated in an election - which, if his thuggish manner is any indication, could be a very long time.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Executive salary cap not fraud solution

By Anthony Ramos | Feb. 17, 2009

Mr. Maple, in your Tuesday column, you failed to present evidence other than a $500,000 salary cap on executive compensation to substantiate your assertion that President Barack Obama will end our modern era of corporate malfeasance.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Sketchy change to terms of service sparks debate

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 17, 2009

A series of discreet changes to Facebook's terms of use policy has users concerned about the future of their privacy.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Thanks but no thanks

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 16, 2009

Another week and, sigh, another case of a ridiculous crime being committed on the mean streets of Gainesville.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama needs to convert platform to policy

Feb. 16, 2009

The first 100 days of a new presidency are supposedly a telling period, a unique window of time in which a president can enact big change. It's a completely arbitrary deadline, devoid of any real significance, but it has become conventional wisdom nonetheless. Why do we accept this absurd notion that only in the shell-shocked aftermath of an election can meaningful policy be shoved through our cantankerous political system?

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Drugging concerns belittled

By Leah Greenblum | Feb. 16, 2009

Monday's article titled, "Women drugged in bar" belittles the issue of how completely disgusting it is to drug anyone in an effort to make them unaware of their actions and have no memory of what has happened to them.

OPINION | COLUMNS

No chance for Enron 2.0 under Obama

Feb. 16, 2009

The Enron-aissance may finally be over.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

High school athletes no longer face drug screens

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 16, 2009

As economic woes ravage Florida, cutbacks in the state's public school system abound.

OPINION | COLUMNS

SG online voting has dirty little secret

Feb. 15, 2009

In 2007, UF students Tommy Jardon and Sam Miorelli, both current leaders of the Orange and Blue Party, started to renew efforts to make online voting the norm for Student Government elections.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Gainesville officer nets more than 100 DUIs

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 15, 2009

For many UF students, the words "police officer" conjures imagery of underage alcohol violations and tickets for jaywalking.