Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Polygamist raid warranted

By Greg Pivarnik | Apr. 22, 2008

The separation of church and state does not apply to religions that advocate sexual abuse and violence toward underage women. The Child Protective Services (CPS) made the correct decision to remove 416 minors from a polygamist compound in Eldorado, Texas, earlier this month. Any arguments that attempt to defend the people at the compound, including anyone who advocates returning the children to their parents based on religious rights implied in the First Amendment, misunderstands the role the government has to protect its citizens from physical harm.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Obama's war plan worrisome

By D. Morgan Potts | Apr. 22, 2008

Obama is selling himself as the president to settle the peace, not continue the war. Yet some of the senator's recent comments suggest he has far less of an interest in peace than in popularity. In an Associated Press interview from July 2007, Obama suggested that even the likelihood of genocide was insufficient grounds for retaining an American presence in Iraq. "If that's the criteria by which we are making decisions on the deployment of U.S. forces, then by that argument you would have 300,000 troops in the Congo right now - where millions have been slaughtered as a consequence of ethnic strife - which we haven't done." Obama is implying America should bear as much responsibility for the security of citizens in a country we do not occupy as one we do. That is, none at all.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Compassion needed to overcome past

By GERALD LILES | Apr. 21, 2008

Nature takes wood in one of two ways: either fire burns it or water rots it away. If that wood forms the walls of a building, the way it happens can make all the difference in the world.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Other issues surround pope visit

By Rob Myers | Apr. 21, 2008

Despite all of the different views that could have been discussed regarding the pope's visit, Mr. Massaro chose to babble aimlessly instead. There were so many issues deserving attention, and yet all Mr. Massaro could seem to focus on was the pope's bling.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Column on pope was ignorant

By Mark LaBelle | Apr. 21, 2008

I was disappointed, but not surprised, by Vincent Massaro's column Monday about the pope's U.S. visit. It confirmed what many people know but do not want to admit: Anti-Catholic speech is one of the remaining acceptable forms of discrimination in America today.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

UF has come a long way but still has work to do

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 21, 2008

In the spirit of Earth Day, we think it's necessary to applaud UF's ongoing campus sustainability efforts and the progress that has been made to reduce the university's large environmental impact.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Unrealistic cultural expectations of beauty unfair to women

By Claire Beach | Apr. 21, 2008

You've seen them at the Plaza of the Americas: Student Government-sponsored billboards, in an effort to boost self-esteem, encouraging women to love their bodies, claiming that "diets don't work" and assuring everyone that confident women who don't worry about looking like supermodels are sexier than those who do.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Vague policy might not stop exploitation

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 20, 2008

There are some things that change almost every semester: roommates, classes and professors. But the one thing that seems to remain constant is the temporary sticker price shock every student faces when the cash register rings up the astronomical cost of textbooks.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Voters must decide on best candidate

By Anthony Piferrer | Apr. 20, 2008

I am disappointed that the Alligator would publish the blatantly slanted article by Drew Harwell on the upcoming congressional election for District 6.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SDS thinks globally and acts locally

By David Reznik | Apr. 20, 2008

The Alligator's accusation that Students for a Democratic Society are hunger striking for personal glory is unfounded.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

UF should adopt responsible investing

By Cheyenna Weber | Apr. 20, 2008

Both the Alligator and the UF student body support establishing a committee on socially responsible investment (SRI) to align the endowment with UF's mission and values. This is a great idea.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pope's U.S. visit a showcase of excess

By VINCENT MASSARO | Apr. 20, 2008

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd, buy me some peanuts and -

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts &amp Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 17, 2008

The cold weather has made it hard for us to believe that we've finished the last full week of classes for the semester. Though we're looking forward to the end of finals - and that walk across the stage for those of us graduating - we here at the Darts & Laurels department are going to miss reviewing all the crazy things that happen in Gainesville. So as you stock up on caffeine and take advantage of those extended study hours at Library West, take a second to join us for this week's edition of…..Darts & Laurels.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Administration has ignored other protests

By BRANDON SACK | Apr. 17, 2008

The editorial from Thursday's paper is disappointing at best. First, we have tried every outlet of support starting with the administration. After our first meeting with President Bernie Machen, we heard his concerns and took them to heart.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hunger strike is last resort for change

By Kevin Hachey | Apr. 17, 2008

First of all, I would like to clarify that Students for a Democratic Society hasn't been asking the administration for transparency since September of last year. What we've been pushing for the past seven months is a socially responsible investment policy with limited transparency to a committee, which will not reduce competitiveness, as Steve Orlando likes to claim.

OPINION | COLUMNS

College ends in realization, discovery

By CARLY HALLAM | Apr. 17, 2008

I've got new priorities. I'm holding onto old ways of life. The science of love is phony. The illness of Senioritis is real. I think men should be more respected by advertisers. I think women should be more respected in general. I like lifestyle changes to be small but significant. I like Moe's portions to be small but filling. I'm saying "bring it on" to the future and "back off" to Facebook. I don't like Gainesville all the time, but the sadness of leaving makes me break into rhyme.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Hunger strike won't advance SDS cause

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 16, 2008

Today marks the eighth day that the Students for a Democratic Society have been on a hunger strike to convince UF President Bernie Machen that the university should make its investment portfolio transparent.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Take advantage of UF while you can

Apr. 16, 2008

The time has come. I have started marking my calendar with the dates and locations of my final exams. I am making finishing touches on end-of-the-semester projects. I have called my mom to double-check my moving date, and I have begun assessing how much shoe-shopping money I will make from selling my textbooks.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SDS strike should be taken seriously

By SKEET SURRENCY | Apr. 16, 2008

I've recently concluded that the problem with this country can be summed up by the Alligator articles and editorials Students for a Democratic Society has generated over the last year. You may agree that the world as we know it is falling apart, but you'll continuously bicker over every last detail of those whose conscience compels them to actually take action.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gators asked to remember those lost in Va. Tech tragedy

By JACQUELYN HORSTMANN | Apr. 15, 2008

We Remember.